Japan begins releasing 80 million barrels of oil reserves as Hormuz closure threatens supply

Japan started releasing oil reserves worth approximately 45 days of supply on Monday March 16, 2026, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens its energy security. The release began with 15 days worth of private-sector reserves, followed by 30 days of state-held oil, for a total of approximately 80 million barrels — about one-fifth of the country's total domestic oil reserves, Fox News reported. Japan imports more than 90% of its crude oil from the Middle East, and the vast majority of that flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The effective closure of the strait since February 28, when the conflict began, is expected to begin visibly impacting Japan's oil supply within weeks. The reserve release is intended to bridge supply shortfalls and moderate price pressures while Japan and other consumer nations seek to reopen the waterway. Japan had earlier declined to send warships to join the US-led Hormuz naval coalition. The reserve release signals Tokyo is taking the supply disruption seriously while stopping short of direct military participation in Hormuz reopening operations. The IEA had previously signalled coordination among member countries on reserve releases.