Japanese Finance Minister Katayama Satsuki / I consider it a very significant achievement that we agreed to take measures to support global energy supplies, such as releasing strategic petroleum reserves, along with other necessary actions.

G7 finance ministers, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency and others held a meeting on March 9, where they discussed the possibility of coordinated releases of oil reserves held by various countries.

They agreed to use all necessary means, including the release of reserves, if required to stabilize the market.

More concrete discussions are expected soon at the upcoming G7 Energy Ministers' Meeting.