The move is aimed at expanding crude oil marketing channels in Asia, where energy demand is expected to grow, while responding to diversified customer demands on pricing, delivery terms and conditions, Inpex said in Monday's announcement.

Inpex plans to strengthen Inpex Energy Trading Singapore by rebasing some of the 30 Tokyo employees and transferring the Tokyo desk's operations in stages, a spokesperson said.

The company did not disclose the number of staff at the Singapore operation.

(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by David Goodman)