Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced that Japan will begin its biggest-ever oil release from strategic reserves this week, deploying around 80 million barrels to domestic refiners. The volume is equivalent to 45 days of national oil demand and represents an unprecedented step in Japan’s energy security history. The announcement was made via the prime minister’s official account on X.
Japan’s vulnerability is stark: as a resource-poor island nation that imports over 90% of its crude oil from the Middle East, any sustained blockage of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger significant energy shortages. The escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran has raised fears that tanker traffic through the strait may be severely disrupted for an extended period. Tokyo has moved decisively to protect its refiners and economy before supply problems worsen.
The scale of this emergency response eclipses all previous reserve releases, including the drawdown that followed Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis, by 1.8 times. Japan holds total reserves of approximately 470 million barrels — equivalent to 254 days of consumption. The government previously approved the release of 15 days’ worth of private-sector oil reserves, which will complement the state stockpile drawdown.
Fuel subsidies have been introduced to prevent gasoline prices from exceeding approximately ¥170 per litre, after prices reached a record ¥190.8. Consumer anxiety has spilled over into concerns about household essentials, with social media posts warning of toilet paper shortages. However, the Japan Household Paper Industry Association has firmly stated that 97% of domestic toilet paper is produced locally using recycled materials, with no dependence on Middle Eastern supply chains.
Prime Minister Takaichi stood firm against pressure from Donald Trump to send Japanese naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, citing Japan’s pacifist constitution. Instead, Japan is intensifying its diplomatic outreach to promote peace and stability in the region. The government has made clear that protecting its people through preparedness and diplomacy — not military action — is its guiding approach.