Japan Seeks Ways to Keep Oil and Gas Flowing Amid Hormuz Crisis

Japan is seeking ways to maintain oil and gas supplies after the crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz exposed the country's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern energy.

Japan is seeking alternative energy supplies and stronger reserves as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten a key source of its crude imports. [Photo: 円周率３パーセント, Wikimedia Commons]

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by telephone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Sept. 8 and urged Tehran to exercise maximum restraint over attacks on civilian vessels and to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

It was the ninth phone conversation between the two foreign ministers since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, according to Japanese media.

Tokyo's concern over the crucial waterway is understandable.

In 2025, about 94% of Japan's crude oil imports came from the Middle East, with about 93% of those imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Japanese government data cited by S&P Global.

Japan has responded by diversifying its oil supplies, drawing on national stockpiles and seeking alternative transportation routes.

Reuters reported in June that Japan had secured crude supplies through March 2028 despite the disruptions, while the country was releasing oil from its reserves and increasing imports from alternative sources.

Tokyo is also pursuing longer-term changes to its energy policy. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government unveiled POWERR GX, or the Policy Package for Wide Energy and Resources Resilience through Green Transformation, in August.

The package aims to strengthen the resilience of Japan's energy supply and demand structure by diversifying fossil-fuel procurement, strengthening supply systems for crude oil and naphtha, increasing the use of nuclear power and supporting alternative energy sources.

Japan has also been strengthening cooperation with other Asian countries under POWERR Asia, including efforts to improve the resilience of energy supply chains and support alternative crude and petroleum-product procurement.

The measures suggest that Tokyo is seeking greater resilience in protecting the energy supply chains on which its economy depends.

They could also contribute to a broader Japanese effort to play a more active role in regional energy and maritime security