Japan to Release More Oil Reserves as Middle East Conflict Persists

April 11, 2026 | 12:27 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has confirmed that the government will again release strategic oil reserves starting in early May 2026. This policy has been adopted to maintain energy supply stability amidst heightened uncertainty in the Middle East, particularly regarding the security of oil distribution routes.

According to a report by The Japan Times, Japan began depleting its oil reserves last March. This step was taken to curb price surges triggered by supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflicts in the region.

Japan's Energy Reserve

In a statement on Friday, April 10, Takaichi announced that the government would release reserves equivalent to approximately 20 days of consumption. "To ensure the stable supply of crude oil, we will release starting in early May the equivalent of roughly 20 days' worth (of oil) from the national reserves," she said during a government meeting convened to discuss the response to the Middle East crisis.

Previously, the government had already tapped into private-sector reserves equivalent to 15 days of consumption. Japan remains a nation deeply dependent on energy imports, with approximately 95 percent of its oil supply originating from the Middle East.

These oil reserves are managed through joint agreements with producing nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Under normal conditions, the oil is utilized for commercial purposes; however, in emergencies, Japanese companies are granted priority access to the supply.

Uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz

As reported by Kyodo News, the Japanese government is considering additional releases due to lingering uncertainty regarding the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, even though the United States and Iran have reached a temporary ceasefire.

The ceasefire, valid for two weeks, was struck just before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The passage has yet to be confirmed as operating normally as it did prior to the conflict, especially amidst ongoing Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Japanese Ministry of Industry assesses that a de facto closure of the strait remains a possibility. Therefore, the government stands prepared to increase the release of reserves if necessary.

Supply Targets and Global Coordination

The Japanese government aims to distribute approximately 80 million barrels of oil to the market, equivalent to 50 days of domestic consumption. This supply will be drawn from national reserves, the private sector, and producing countries in the Gulf region. The nation's own oil reserves, equivalent to 30 days of consumption, are scheduled for release from 11 storage locations by the end of April.

Japan's actions align with the broader policy of the International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries. On March 11, IEA members agreed to release oil reserves to curb global price spikes, collectively releasing more than 400 million barrels of oil since mid-March.

Read: Oil Prices Near $100 Amid Worries Over US-Iran Truce

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