Japan's crude oil imports in August shed 4.5 percent compared with the same period of last year to 106. 68 million barrels, marking the first fall in three months, local media reported Monday.

According to a preliminary report released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, oil from the Middle East accounted for 83.7 percent of the total import, which was down 0.6 percentage point.

As Japan's biggest oil supplier, Saudi Arabia exported 36.29 million barrels, up 7.7 percent. The United Arab Emirates was second with 19.18 million barrels, down 19.1 percent. The third was Qatar with 13.59 million barrels, down 7.9 percent.

Japan's output of petroleum products during the reporting period was up 0.4 percent from a year earlier to 16.50 million kiloliter. Domestic sales of such products fell 4.6 percent to 15. 96 million kiloliter. One barrel equals 0.159 kiloliter.