Japan

Sumitomo Electrical Industries features on the official Iranian vendor website, “VList” – the ‘petroleum and energy vendor source search engine of I.R. Iran’

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Listed as an approved vendor in Iran by NIOEC, NPC, POGC, NIGC and IOOC.

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"Japanese traders including Marubeni Corp and Sumitomo Corp that stopped buying Iranian oil during western sanctions are looking to resume imports, potentially by year-end, industry sources said. Conservative Japanese firms have so far held off taking Iranian crude due to a lack of internationally acceptable insurance coverage, but are looking at ways of using cover provided by the Japanese government, the sources said. The traders seeking to restart purchases together imported around 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian oil before sanctions were imposed and renewed purchases would give a boost to Tehran's aim of increasing its exports to 4 million bpd..." (Reuters, "Some Japan trading houses eye resuming Iran oil imports-sources," 10/19/2016).

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Sumitomo Corporation lists an office in Tehran. Its subsidiary, Sumitomo Electric, lists a past Major Power Transmission Line Installation Project in Iran.

"Iran’s largest crude-export terminal is poised to receive its first internationally owned tanker in a month, ending an absence caused by European Union curbs on insuring ships that extended to almost all the fleet.

The Ryuho Maru, now insured by the Japanese state, will arrive at Kharg Island tomorrow, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg…The Ryuho Maru, owned by Tokyo-based Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd., will load about 1.7 million barrels of crude, three officials from refiners and Japan’s trade ministry said last week." (Bloomberg, "Japan Crude Tanker Signals Iran After International Absence," 7/18/2012)

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"Japan will load its first Iranian crude cargo backed by sovereign guarantees since sanctions disrupted coverage in the international reinsurance market.

JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. and Idemitsu Kosan Co. will load about 1.7 million barrels of Iranian crude on the very large crude carrier Ryuho Maru on about July 20 at Kharg Island, the country’s biggest oil-export terminal, according to three officials from the refiners and Japan’s trade ministry. The tanker, owned by Iino Kaiun Kaisha Ltd. , will be backed by the Japanese state, they said, asking not to be identified because the information is confidential.

Japan’s Iranian crude imports will fall in July because refiners were unsure whether the sovereign insurance would be available when they planned July-loading schedules last month, the officials said. Japan’s parliament passed a bill on June 20 to provide $7.6 billion of guarantees to tanker owners that carry Iranian oil. European Union sanctions, introduced as an attempt to persuade Iran to halt its nuclear program, took effect July 1." (Bloomberg, "Japan Set To Load First Iran Crude With Sovereign Insurance," 7/13/12)

"So despite concerns over regulation and reputation, that opportunity explains the caravan of container carriers that started resuming service to Iran back in January. The Iranian port at Bandar Abbas now welcomes ships from Evergreen, Hyundai, OOCL, Hanjin, “K” Line, KMTC, X-Press, Yang Ming, and many more..." (Global Trade, "Transportation/Logistics:Iran is Back Open for Business," 11/1/2016).

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K-Line has multiple European and American subsidiaries, including K-Line America and K-Line Europe. (K-Line: About Us)

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Operates as a liner in Iranian ports.  (Ports and Maritime Organization: Shipping Lines which operating in Iranian Ports)

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Uses Tidewater Middle East Co.’s private terminals in the Shahid Rajaee Port Complex. (Tidewater: Reflection of Tomorrow)

On June 23, 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Tidewater Middle East Co. (“Tidewater”), Iran’s major port operator, because the IRGC owns it and uses it for illicit activities including weapons shipments. (U.S. Department of the Treasury Press Center, “Treasury Sanctions Major Iranian Commercial Entities,” 6/23/11)  The EU followed with its own sanctions against Tidewater on January 23, 2012. (Official Journal or the European Union: Council Decision 2012/35/CFSP)

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Listed by the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization as doing business with the Iranian Jet Marin Servis.  (Ports & Maritime Organization: Companies Affairs Department: Liners)

“As previously advised, it is the policy of ClassNK to comply with applicable laws and regulations where it operates. In this connection, we are currently conducting our investigation and liaising with competent authorities of the flag state to determine whether and to what extent the matter raised in your letters affect our compliance policy and procedures. We intend to take appropriate measures based on our findings of facts and circumstances as well as the instructions from the competent authorities of the flag states in order to maintain and ensure our compliance with applicable laws and regulations." (December 8, 2020)

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In June 2016, Class NK announced that it had “resumed operations in Iran with the reopening of its Tehran Office and agreements with the Iranian Classification Society (ICS) and Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), Ministry of Roads & Urban Development of Iran.”  (ClassNK Website, “ClassNK returns to Iran,” 6/15/2016). 

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ClassNK explained that “[a]s part of its plan to further strengthen operations in the region, the Society also signed an agreement with ICS in February 2016 which sets out a framework for surveys and certifications for NK/ICS dual-classed ships.”  (Id.).  Furthermore: A separate agreement with PMO, the Iranian maritime administration, is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. That agreement will enable ClassNK to perform statutory surveys and certifications on Iranian-flagged vessels in cooperation with Port & Flag State Control officers.(Id.). 

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ClassNK also lists a Tehran office as part of its network.  (ClassNK Website, “Service Network”).

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"A Japanese ship classification society will close its Tehran office, becoming the latest firm to face pressure by a U.S. lobby group to end dealings with Iran as backers of Western sanctions pile pressure on the Islamic Republic. Japan's ClassNK said it did not verify safety and environmental standards for Iranian ships, but was nevertheless pulling out of Iran.'We at ClassNK have already voluntarily refrained from activities in Iran, and we have no vessels with Iranian flags, so we do not think that our current activities are running foul of the Iran sanctions,' a senior ClassNK official told Reuters on Tuesday.'But considering the environment that surrounds us as of late, there were talks on this inside the organisation, and we have officially decided to close our Tehran office.' The move follows a call last week by U.S. group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) to cut ties with Iran . . . While UANI acknowledged ClassNK did not provide formal certification services to Iranian vessels, it said the Japanese firm maintained an office in Tehran, which 'lends important symbolic support to the regime.' UANI added that ClassNK also provided technical certificates for two Iranian firms that did business with Iranian shipping companies. The two Iranian firms provide distressed radio beacons, which transmit internationally recognised emergency codes and location data.'By providing services to these companies, ClassNK is directly facilitating the operations of Iran's shipping sector, an action that enables the Iranian government to circumvent multilateral sanctions that have been imposed to prevent it from further developing its illegal nuclear weapons program,' UANI said. The ClassNK official did not refer to the two Iranian firms but said it would close its office as soon as possible." (Reuters, "Japanese ship certifier to end Iran ties," 7/17/12)

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"Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, the world's largest ship classification society, has no plans to shut down its operations in Iran in response to the risks associated with tensions between the West and the Islamic Republic, the executive vice president of the society, also known as ClassNK, said Tuesday. Many ship classification societies, banks, insurers and shipowners have been forced to cut ties with Iran because of tightening Western sanctions. Japan-based ClassNK doesn't service any Iranian ships, so the sanctions haven't impacted the society's operations, Yasushi Nakamura told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of an event announcing a partnership with NAPA, a leading software house for ship design and operations, to provide a solution for the global Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, for which regulation will come into force on Jan 1, 2013.'We have full intention to maintain our Iranian office to service other clients worldwide,' Nakamura said. 'If there's a breakthrough in talks between Iran and the West, and the situation gets resolved, we could expand coverage to include Iranian carriers too.'" (Wall Street Journal, "ClassNK To Maintain Iran Operations Despite Western Sanctions -Executive," 5/8/12)

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“Japanese ship classification society NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK) is pleased to announce the establishment of two new offices in Africa and the Middle East this month. The first is a new office in Accra, Ghana, which will officially open on 25 December 2009, while the other is in Tehran, Iran, which will open on 31 December.” (MaritimeDirectory.com, “Shipping – Two New Class NK offices in Ghana and Iran,” 12/18/2009)

"The easing of the insurance sanctions for ships has been expected by analysts to increase Iran's crude oil exports, although data from Tehran's largest customers - China, India, Japan and South Korea - has so far shown steady to lower shipments since the deal was signed in November. Uncertainty over post-July insurance payments, however, has made the suspension of sanctions on ship cover ‘of very limited, if any, value to shipowners,’ the group of shipping insurers said in a note this week. The International Group of P&I Clubs said it was uncertain if insurance claims that arose while sanctions are eased would be honoured if they remained unpaid after July 20.…P&I claims can take one or two years to settle, said a Japan P&I Club official. If claims cannot be settled within six months it would be similar to having no insurance, he said. He said owners of Japanese ships importing Iranian crude oil are staying with Tokyo's sovereign insurance scheme put in place in mid-2012 to keep the oil shipments flowing, and none have moved to get cover from the Japan P&I Club.”  (Reuters, “Insurers group sounds alarm over Iran ship insurance,” 1/30/14)

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“Japan's main private ship insurer, the Japan P&I Club, said it has resumed normal coverage for tankers carrying Iranian oil, a step in easing imports in line with U.S. and EU moves as relations with Tehran thaw. Japan oil buyers were the hardest hit by the shipping insurance limits in Western sanctions because they chose to continue to use Japanese tankers for deliveries…The international P&I club, of which JPI is a member, resumed normal coverage of $7.6 billion per ship, including $1 billion for oil spills, on Monday as European Union reinsurance became available again for the first time since mid-2012, a JPI official said…'The resumption of cover is very much restricted to that which is expressly permitted under the implementing EU and U.S. measures,’ Andrew Bardot, executive officer of the International Group of P&I clubs, said separately. 'It does not fully open up the trade or the insurance of the trade. It is restricted to current importers based on their import quotas and it is for six months only’…Japan's sovereign scheme will stay in place for the time being, but will no longer be liable for insurance payments now that buyers can obtain JPI coverage, a government official said. The government is not ready to scrap the sovereign scheme just yet, as the sanctions relief is regarded as temporary, the official said. Japan's parliament would have to authorise any extension of the scheme past the fiscal year ending March 31.” (Reuters, “Japan resumes private insurance for Iran oil imports,” 1/21/14)

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“Japanese crude buyers are set to switch back to private insurance providers for transportation of Iranian oil, after relief from some EU sanctions goes into effect next week, industry and government sources said. Under the interim deal reached between Tehran and six world powers in November, the European Union on Jan. 20 will suspend for six months a ban on insuring and transporting Iranian oil…If the revision in EU regulations is implemented, the Japan P&I Club (JPI), the country's main ship insurer against pollution and personal injury claims, would be able to resume the normal coverage of $7.6 billion for a tanker carrying Iranian oil, a JPI official said. The switch in insurance is expected to have no impact on Japan's Iranian oil lifting plans, the JPI official added. It remains unclear how soon the switch can occur, as some details need to be worked out. The government will keep the sovereign scheme in place for now, however, as the revision is regarded as temporary, a government official said.” (Reuters, “Japan oil buyers to move back to private insurance for Iran imports,” 1/16/14)

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"The Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual P&I Association, the body that covers owners against the risk of oil spills and tanker collisions, is likely to lose access to Europe’s reinsurance market after the sanctions come into force July 1, according to the officials... Japan’s sovereign guarantees will replace the $7.6 billion in cover that the country’s P&I club currently buys from the International Group, according to one of the officials." (Bloomberg Businessweek, "Japan Said to Seek Sovereign Cover for Iran Tankers This Month," 5/17/2012)

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"The Japan P&I club, the country's main ship insurer against pollution and personal injury claims, has also been forced to reduce its cover for a tanker carrying Iranian oil to $8 million from July 1 from the current $1 billion due to EU sanctions." (Reuters, "Japan to limit Iran oil voyages in Mideast Gulf," 4/12/2012)

Lists an office in Tehran, Iran on its company website. 

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"Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Sompo Japan Insurance and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance are among those that have approached Japanese oil refiners to cut coverage for Iranian oil and petrochemical shipments by more than 50 percent, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday." (Reuters, "Japan insurers to cut Iran oil insurance coverage," 4/4/2012)

"Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Sompo Japan Insurance and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance are among those that have approached Japanese oil refiners to cut coverage for Iranian oil and petrochemical shipments by more than 50 percent, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday." (Reuters, "Japan insurers to cut Iran oil insurance coverage," 4/4/2012)

"Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Sompo Japan Insurance and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance are among those that have approached Japanese oil refiners to cut coverage for Iranian oil and petrochemical shipments by more than 50 percent, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday." (Reuters, "Japan insurers to cut Iran oil insurance coverage," 4/5/2012)

Yamaha's Outboard Engine has been found in the following Houthi weapon system: WBIED. (UN Security Council, "Letter dated 22 January 2021 from the Panel of Experts on Yemen addressed to the President of the Security Council," 1/21). 

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Yamaha is listed as a participating company at the 14^th International Exhibition of Transportation & Urban Services & Related Industries which takes place October 27-30^th, 2016 in Tehran Iran. (Participating International Companies)  

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"Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd (YMC) has recently concluded a technical assistance agreement with the nationaly run Iranian motorcycle maker DMI to being the manufacture of motorcylces in Iran...In the past, from 1971 to '81, DMI manufactured three Yamaha brand motorcycle models..."  (Yamaha.  "Yamaha Brand Motorcycle Production Begins Again in Iran."  5/23/2001)

As of December 2020, Rhode Island continues to list Japan Drilling as an Iran scrutinized company for active involvement of at least $20-50 million in Iran's energy sector. The company is an offshore drilling contractor which operates in several countries including Iran. It lists several companies in Iran as its clients including Iranian government owned entities. (Factiva - MarketLine, 07/24/2015; Company website, 07/2019)

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On August 14, 2020, Japan Drilling was removed from the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System Iran Prohibited Companies List. 

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As of August 15, 2019, the state of Iowa listed Japan Drilling on its Iran scrutinized companies list.

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In 2015, CalSTRS designated Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. as “Under Review” for potentially having ties to Iran. In 2016, CalSTRS stopped and restarted the review process based on changes in CalSTRS’ holdings in the company’s securities. In 2017, CalSTRS designated Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. as “Being Monitored” and maintained that designation in 2018. In 2015, Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. was identified as possibly operating offshore drilling services in Iran with clients including the Iranian government. In 2019, CalSTRS removed Japan Drilling Co. Ltd. as it no longer holds any of the company’s securities. 

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In 2018 the U.S. state of Iowa listed Japan Drilling on its Iran prohibited companies list rendering Japan Drilling ineligible for investment and/or state contracting.--

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In 2017 the U.S. state of California identified Japan Drilling as a company under review for potentially operating in Iran with ties to the Iranian government.

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In 2017 the U.S. state of Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee listed Japan Drilling on its Iran prohibited companies list rendering Japan Drilling ineligible for investment and/or state contracting.

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As of February 15, 2016, Japan Drilling lists the following companies as clients on its website: Pars Oil and Gas Co., Petroleum Engineering and Development Company, Total Sirri, Total South Pars, Eni Iran B.V., Stat oil Iran, National Iranian Drilling Co.

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"The oil rigs currently operating in Iranian waters mostly work for Iranian state-owned companies. The rigs are owned by a variety of foreign firms, including Norway's Sinvest, London-based Foresight Group, China Oilfield Service, Japan Drilling and Saipem, a subsidiary of Italian oil giant ENI. Industry sources said they would probably be certified by either Lloyd's or Bureau Veritas. BV did not respond to inquiries." (The Washington Post, "Congress sees shipping-certification firms as tool to tighten Iran noose," 12/5/2011)