S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / To ensure a stable supply of crude oil, we will release approximately 20 days' worth of oil starting in early May as the second round of national reserve releases.

Out of the roughly eight months' worth of oil reserves held by both the public and private sectors in Japan, the government began releasing 30 days' worth from the national reserves starting in March.

In this second round, about 20 more days' worth of oil will be released from the national reserves starting in early May.

According to the government, the additional release amount is smaller than the first round because Japan was able to expand procurement of oil imports through routes other than the Strait of Hormuz.

The government will also extend by another month a measure initiated in March that reduces the mandatory stockpiling levels imposed on private companies.

In addition, Takaichi told members of her Cabinet to utilize direct sales mechanisms to quickly resolve bottlenecks in the supply of fuel oil.