As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blockaded, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae did not rule out the possibility of asking the public in Japan to conserve energy over potential shortages.

S/ Goto Yuichi, Lawmaker, Centrist Reform Alliance / Should we not begin asking the public for cooperation in energy conservation within a range that does not negatively impact the economy?

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Prime Minister / We will monitor the situation concerning supply and demand as well as the prices of critical materials and respond flexibly without ruling out any possibilities.

Takaichi told a House of Representatives plenary session that Japan has secured the amount it needs overall through releasing oil stockpiles and procuring crude oil via alternative routes that do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior government official said a request for energy conservation will not be made immediately as such a move would have a major impact on the economy, indicating that the government is maintaining a cautious stance.

Meanwhile, as the Middle East conflict continues, the Japanese government launched a task force aimed at ensuring stable supplies for key petroleum-related products, including those used in the medical field.

Economy minister Akazawa Ryosei, who oversees ensuring the stable supply of critical materials, told task force members to review the supply status of items with high dependence on the Middle East, such as naphtha and medical goods.

S/ Akazawa Ryosei, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister / For pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical supplies, and public infrastructure and services that underpin daily life, I want you to work with determination to see issues through until they are resolved, using every possible means to ensure there are no disruptions whatsoever.

Officials reported cases of supply disruptions involving certain neonatal medical catheters and injection needles but said measures have been taken by securing heavy oil necessary for sterilization.

While necessary petroleum-related products are being secured domestically, officials said that anxiety over future supplies has led to bottlenecks in distribution channels.

They said the government will move forward with assessing the actual situation, including the status of overseas supply chains.

The task force is made up of senior officials from relevant government offices.