March 20, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is visiting the United States to reinforce the US-Japan alliance, but escalating turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz is testing both the strength of that partnership and Japan's energy strategy.

With the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel disrupting oil flows, Tokyo faces mounting pressure to secure supplies while managing rising domestic fuel costs. 

On March 16, the Japanese government began releasing 80 million barrels of oil – the largest drawdown since the reserve system was established in 1978 – to offset supply disruptions caused by instability in Hormuz. The emergency measure is expected to cover only about 45 days of consumption, underscoring the stakes if tensions persist.

Read more:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-03-20/Strait-of-Hormuz-crisis-tests-Japan-s-energy-strategy-US-alliance-1LFc28Bl4cw/p.html