Japan’s Helium Imports From Qatar Drop as War Chokes Supply

Japan’s helium imports from key supplier Qatar fell to the lowest level in more than a year in March, as the Middle East war disrupts supplies of the inert gas used to make products like artificial intelligence chips.

Shipments from the Gulf nation plunged 81% last month from a year earlier to 8,800 kilograms, according to data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance. That is the weakest since January 2025. Total imports rose 39% on an annual basis due to a surge in US deliveries, the data showed.