Japan has kicked off its biggest-ever oil reserve release as soaring pump prices and fears over Middle East supply disruptions push the government to act on an unprecedented scale. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed that roughly 80 million barrels of state-held oil — equivalent to 45 days of national demand — will be distributed to refiners this week. This follows last week’s approval of a 15-day private-sector reserve release. Japan’s extreme dependence on Middle Eastern crude, which accounts for over 90% of imports, has made the US-Israel conflict with Iran a direct economic threat.
Takaichi has maintained Japan’s non-military stance, telling US President Trump that the postwar constitution bars the deployment of Japanese naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz. She has pledged to continue diplomatic efforts with relevant countries to support a peaceful resolution. The prime minister also moved swiftly on the domestic front, introducing fuel subsidies and reserve releases in parallel. Her government’s response has been notable for its speed and comprehensiveness.
The record-breaking release exceeds Japan’s previous high — the 2011 Fukushima emergency drawdown — by 1.8 times. Japan retains approximately 470 million barrels of total reserves, covering about 254 days of domestic consumption. Officials say the drawdown is prudent and that long-term reserve security is maintained. Further action will be considered if the crisis deepens or extends beyond current expectations.
Fuel subsidies have been put in place to cap retail gasoline at ¥170 per litre after record highs of ¥190.8. The subsidies are reviewed weekly, giving the policy the flexibility to adapt to changing oil market conditions. Energy market observers have praised the transparent and responsive design of the subsidy framework. The government is committed to maintaining these protections for as long as the energy disruption persists.
Anxiety on social media about toilet paper and household goods shortages has triggered some unnecessary hoarding. Japan’s trade ministry moved quickly to dispel this concern, noting that 97% of the country’s toilet paper is produced domestically from recycled materials with no link to oil imports. The paper industry’s national association confirmed stable supply and readiness to increase output. The government is urging citizens to trust official information and avoid panic purchases that could turn unfounded fears into genuine disruptions.