Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a 30‑minute call Tuesday with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and agreed to work on steady crude supply and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
- In Parliament Tuesday, Takaichi said the Iran crisis is raising risks to energy supply and she is pursuing calls with the U.S. and Iranian presidents to press for a rapid de‑escalation.
- Economy minister Ryosei Akazawa said after the cabinet meeting Tuesday that a crude tanker that left the Middle East reached Japan on April 5 and that alternative sourcing is progressing.
- Akazawa said reserve releases and recent cargoes cover required volumes in Japan and that any request to curb fuel use would depend on supply and price conditions.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a key oil route, so a long disruption could raise fuel costs for households and firms in import‑reliant Japan, which is why Tokyo is pairing diplomacy with supply steps.