Faced with an unprecedented threat to its energy supply, Japan has announced it will begin its biggest-ever oil release from national strategic reserves, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks to head off a domestic fuel crisis. Approximately 80 million barrels of stockpiled crude — the equivalent of 45 days of Japan’s domestic demand — will be sent to refiners beginning Thursday. The move comes amid serious concerns about tanker access through the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel war on Iran.
Japan imports more than 90% of its crude oil from Middle Eastern nations, and the ongoing conflict has dramatically raised the risk of supply chain disruptions. The government has taken a two-track approach: releasing private-sector reserves last week and now initiating the much larger deployment of state-owned stockpiles. This layered strategy reflects both the severity of the threat and Japan’s level of preparedness.
This emergency drawdown is 1.8 times larger than Japan’s previous record release, which came in response to the Fukushima nuclear crisis of 2011. The country’s total oil reserve stands at approximately 470 million barrels, providing 254 days of consumption buffer. By moving now, the government aims to ensure that refiners remain supplied before any real shortage materializes.
To protect consumers from the sharp rise in energy costs, the government introduced fuel subsidies that cap gasoline at around ¥170 per litre after retail prices climbed to a historic ¥190.8. Misleading social media posts have created unwarranted fears about shortages of everyday goods including toilet paper, prompting the trade ministry and the Japan Household Paper Industry Association to issue public clarifications. With 97% of Japan’s toilet paper produced domestically from recycled materials, the industry confirmed there is no supply risk.
Japan has steered clear of military engagement, with Takaichi turning down Trump’s call for Japanese naval forces to be sent to the Strait of Hormuz due to constitutional constraints. The government has pledged to work through diplomatic channels with international partners to promote peace and energy stability. Japan remains committed to protecting its people while contributing to a peaceful resolution of the global crisis.