Japan has announced a historic move to release oil from its national strategic reserves, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirming the country will begin its biggest-ever oil release starting Thursday. Around 80 million barrels — enough to cover 45 days of domestic demand — will flow to domestic refiners as the US-Israel war with Iran disrupts regional oil shipping. The move signals Tokyo’s deep concern about a prolonged supply crisis.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of global oil exports travel, has been thrown into uncertainty by the intensifying Middle East conflict. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for more than 90% of its crude imports, is particularly exposed to any disruption in that corridor. Officials have acted before a shortage materializes, drawing on strategic reserves to buffer domestic supply.
At 80 million barrels, this release is 1.8 times the volume deployed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, making it a truly unprecedented emergency measure. Japan’s total strategic stockpile currently stands at around 470 million barrels — enough for 254 days of normal usage. Both state-managed and private-sector oil stockpiles are being unlocked to maximize supply to refiners.
Alongside the reserve release, the government has capped retail gasoline prices at roughly ¥170 per litre through newly announced subsidies, following a record high of ¥190.8. Unfounded fears about toilet paper shortages have spread on social media, prompting firm reassurances from the trade ministry and industry groups. Japan’s household paper sector has confirmed that 97% of production is domestic and that the supply chain faces no disruption.
On the geopolitical front, Takaichi declined Trump’s request to deploy Japanese naval forces to the Hormuz region, pointing to Japan’s postwar constitutional restrictions. Tokyo has pledged continued diplomatic engagement to protect the region’s stability and Japan’s national interests. The government remains committed to navigating the crisis through strategic preparedness and international cooperation.