Oil Day

What Is Oil Day?

October 6th is "Oil Day" in Japan. It was established by Nenryo Yushi Shimbun, publisher of a daily trade paper for the petroleum energy industry, and was registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2017. The date comes from rearranging "106" as 1 = "i," 0 = "o," 6 = "ru" to spell "oiru" (oil), and from the lessons of the first oil shock, triggered by the war that broke out in the Middle East on October 6, 1973.

A Number Puzzle and the Lessons of the Oil Shock

Oil Day aims to remind people how essential oil is as part of society's infrastructure, and of the social importance of gas stations as local sales points for petroleum.

• Number play: rearranging 1 (i), 0 (o) and 6 (ru) gives "oiru," or oil
• Historical background: the outbreak of the Fourth Arab-Israeli War on October 6, 1973, led to soaring crude prices and the first oil shock
• Established by: Nenryo Yushi Shimbun, a trade paper covering petroleum and LP gas
• Focus: the role of gas stations as local energy hubs

What's the Difference Between "Oil" and "Crude Oil"?

Petroleum is a liquid oil made mainly of hydrocarbons, with small amounts of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen and other substances, and is a type of mineral resource. The English word "petroleum" comes from the Latin "petra" (rock) and "oleum" (oil), meaning "rock oil." Oil that has been extracted from an underground field and roughly cleaned of gas and water, but not yet refined, is called crude oil.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Count the petroleum products around you, from gasoline to kerosene
• Look up how the oil shock affected daily life at the time
• Notice the role your local gas station plays
• Check your heaters and kerosene supply ahead of winter

A Day Not to Take Everyday Energy for Granted

From car fuel to heating to the raw materials of everyday goods, oil supports our lives in many ways. On October 6th, recall the lessons of the oil shock and think about how we use energy.