TOKYO: The volume of Japan’s customs-cleared crude oil imports fell 19.3 percent in September from a year ago, marking the sharpest decline in 11 months, while LNG and coal imports also fell, reflecting sluggish power demand.

Japan imported 3.52 million barrels per day (16.789 million kiloliters) of crude oil last month, preliminary data from the ministry showed, the Ministry of Finance said.

That marks the sharpest year-on-year decline since a 24.5 percent fall recorded in October 2012, a ministry official said.

Cooler temperatures in September than the year before dented Japan’s power demand by 4.1 percent, pushing down consumption of oil for power generation by more than half, industry data showed earlier this month.