Japan will this week commence the biggest-ever release from its strategic oil reserves, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announcing the deployment of 80 million barrels to domestic refiners — even as she rebuffed a request from US President Donald Trump to send Japanese naval forces to patrol the Strait of Hormuz. The reserve release, scheduled to begin Thursday, represents Japan’s primary tool for protecting its energy supply amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Takaichi cited Japan’s postwar constitution as the reason naval deployment was not possible.
The 80 million barrel release — equivalent to 45 days of domestic demand and 1.8 times the previous record — is Japan’s most assertive energy security intervention in modern history. Japan’s total reserves stood at approximately 470 million barrels at year-end, providing a buffer of around 254 days of consumption. Even with this historic drawdown, the country retains a substantial cushion against further supply disruptions.
Japan’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern crude — over 90% of its oil imports come from the region — makes the security of the Strait of Hormuz a first-order economic concern. The ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has raised fears of prolonged interruptions to tanker traffic, which would directly threaten Japan’s industrial and consumer supply chains. The reserve release is designed to bridge any supply gap while diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis proceed.
To protect consumers from soaring fuel costs, the government has introduced subsidies that cap gasoline at about ¥170 per litre, down from a record high of ¥190.8. These subsidies will be assessed weekly, with adjustments made to keep pace with market movements. The government has also worked to counter social media-driven panic about shortages of toilet paper and other household products, reassuring the public that domestic production remains secure.
Takaichi has pledged extensive diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern nations and key international partners to promote peace and stability in the region. Her refusal to accede to Trump’s military request was delivered in person during a summit in Washington, where she explained Japan’s constitutional constraints on overseas deployment. Japan’s response to this crisis will ultimately be judged by how well it protects its citizens and economy through non-military means.