Japan secures oil through early 2027 despite Hormuz blockade
PM Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo ramped up US oil imports and supplies from Gulf producers outside Hormuz, while leaving fuel-saving measures and subsidies on standby.
- Despite concerns over energy supply shortages from Middle East tensions, Japan's Prime Minister is currently cautious about issuing an energy-saving request to the public.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to personally urge the Iranian president to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Japan is pursuing diplomatic de-escalation by seeking phone talks with the leaders of both the United States and Iran.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicated Tuesday (April 7) that she is cautious about issuing an energy-saving request soon, despite concerns that the country could face energy supply shortages if tensions in the Middle East continue.
"I'm not ready to ask (the public) to save (energy) immediately, in a way that could put the brakes on economic activity," Takaichi said at a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting. However, she added, "I will judge flexibly while monitoring how the situation evolves," she added.
Takaichi also expressed her willingness to hold phone talks with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to help de-escalate the situation.
"We must communicate with both the United States and Iran," the prime minister said. "We're pursuing telephone meetings with both presidents."
Following Monday's phone talks between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, Takaichi said, "I want to negotiate myself in the next stage."
Takaichi said she would urge the Iranian president to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to stop attacking neighbouring countries.
In response to an opposition call to extend electricity and gas subsidies, the prime minister noted that electricity and gas consumption is expected to decrease from April.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
