The initial loss of at least a third of Japan's refining capacity is boosting Asian margins already well-sup- ported by heavy maintenance in March and April. Over 1.7mn b/d of Japanese refining capacity shut in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March, although only 365,000 b/d is likely to close for an extended period (see p2). But the energy ministry is asking refiners in west- ern Japan and on the northern island of Hokkaido to increase runs in the short term to supply 240,000 b/d of products to the earthquake-hit northeast.
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