Crude oil imports fell 7.7 percent in February from a year earlier to 130.01 million barrels, marking a fifth straight monthly decline.

The Natural Resources and Energy Agency said Wednesday in a preliminary report that imports from the Middle East accounted for 92.6 percent of the total, up 12.7 percentage points from a year earlier and topping 90 percent for the first time since October, when 91.5 percent was registered.

The United Arab Emirates remained Japan's largest oil supplier, with imports from it increasing 9.8 percent to 35.35 million barrels.