90% of crude oil relies on the Strait of Hormuz! Sanae Takaichi seeks meetings with Iranian leadership

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Japan is making every effort to seek diplomatic mediation before the U.S. deadline for Iran, while accelerating its response to the energy supply shock.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that preparations are underway for a leader-level meeting with Iranian leaders, and she may also have a separate phone call with Trump. Previously, Trump had warned that if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. would bomb Iran's power facilities, with a deadline set for Tuesday. During her response in parliament, Takaichi said, "We will do everything we can to find a solution to the current situation and restore peace."

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for over 90% of Japan’s crude oil imports. Due to the disruption in passage, Japan’s crude oil imports in March fell sharply to about 52.03 million barrels, the lowest since 2013. Imports are expected to decline even further after April. The Japanese government is stepping up measures, including seeking alternative transport routes, sourcing crude oil from outside the Middle East, and considering an additional release of national oil reserves in May.

Japan Seeks to Play a Buffer Role Between the U.S. and Iran

On Monday in parliament, Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan is preparing for a leader-level meeting with Iranian leaders and is seeking a phone conversation with Trump, though nothing has been finalized yet. She said Japan will do its utmost before the Tuesday deadline set by Trump.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has already held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was once Iran’s ambassador to Japan. Whether Japan can play a mediating role in the current crisis remains uncertain, but the long-standing diplomatic relations between Japan and Iran do provide communication channels.

Former Keio University diplomat Koichiro Tanaka pointed out that one of the key issues in the current Middle East situation is who will act as the “guarantor” in the region. He said if the U.S. refuses this role, it will provide an opportunity for China to fill the gap—China also relies heavily on the region's oil and energy supplies. “The crucial issue is whether the U.S. president and the military can genuinely accept China having greater say and influence in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf,” he said.

43 Japan-Related Ships Still Stranded in the Strait

After more than a month of joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, some Japanese-related vessels have recently managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Bloomberg, ships owned by France and Japan have already completed the first batch of Hormuz transits.

Mitsui OSK Lines confirmed on Friday that one of its part-owned LNG carriers has completed the transit. Another LPG carrier owned by a subsidiary of Mitsui sailed out of the Strait on Saturday. According to Asahi Shimbun, quoting unnamed government officials, the LNG carrier was not headed for Japan, and the Japanese government was not involved in the passage negotiations.

However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Monday that 43 Japan-related ships are still stranded in the Strait.

Government Denies Naphtha Crisis, Considers Additional Reserve Release

Facing pressure on energy supplies, the Japanese government is responding on multiple fronts. Sanae Takaichi stated on Sunday that Japan currently has eight months’ worth of oil reserves and is actively seeking alternative supply sources. She also denied media reports that Japan would be unable to secure a naphtha supply in June.

“We have at least four months’ worth of domestic naphtha demand in reserve, including imports, domestic production, and intermediate products,” Takaichi wrote on social media, adding that the government is diversifying suppliers of intermediate products. “Reports claiming ‘Japan cannot ensure supply in June’ are incorrect.”

According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, as of the end of 2025, Japan's domestic oil reserves are equivalent to 254 days of consumption. Since March 16 this year, the government has released a total of about 80 million barrels of strategic reserves, equivalent to 45 days of use—the largest release since the national reserves system was established in 1978.

Nevertheless, oil industry groups are still urging the government to release more reserves. The medical industry has sounded alarms, urging steps to secure naphtha supplies—naphtha is a key raw material for dialysis materials, medical gloves, syringes, and other medical supplies. Industry insiders warn that if the current situation continues, Japan may face a “naphtha crisis” in June, threatening the health of many patients.

According to Japanese media reports citing sources, the government is seeking alternative routes to transport oil bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and is sourcing from outside the Middle East. Crude oil imports for May are expected to reach about 60% of the same period last year, with the shortfall likely to be covered by additional releases of the national reserve. Related plans are still under discussion.

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