Sanae Takaichi Says Japan’s Oil Supplies Secure for Rest of Year Despite Hormuz Blockade

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:00 JST, April 8, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tuesday that there is a plan to secure crude oil supplies through strategic reserves and alternative procurement sources through the beginning of next year.

She also hinted that she would not rule out calling for energy conservation, amid growing concerns over crude oil supplies following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East.

“We have established a plan to secure oil supplies beyond the end of the year,” Takaichi told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office after the budget for fiscal 2026 was passed. “There will be no immediate disruption in the supply” of essential goods, such as medical supplies.

She also indicated that imports from the United States in May are expected to increase to about four times last year’s level for that month, and stated, “We will strengthen our efforts to engage with oil-producing countries to further raise the rate of alternative procurement.”

The prime minister held a telephone conversation with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Tuesday evening and requested cooperation toward ensuring a stable supply of crude oil.

Regarding the possibility of asking the public to conserve energy, the prime minister stated, “We will respond flexibly without ruling out any possibilities, with the possibility of a prolonged situation in mind.”

During a meeting of the House of Councillors Budget Committee on Tuesday, prior to the vote on the budget, she also said, “I am not going to ask people to conserve energy immediately in a way that would put the brakes on economic activity.”

There are calls from both ruling and opposition parties to compile a supplementary budget that includes measures to address soaring crude oil prices. The prime minister indicated to reporters that the government would rely on reserve funds from the initial budget for the time being and said, “I do not believe we are in a situation that requires the compilation of a supplementary budget right now.”