Story perspectives

Japan taps 5.8 million kL oil reserves amid Hormuz blockade

5/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Japan began a second round of oil reserve releases on May 1, supplying 5.8 million kiloliters—about 20 days of consumption.
The oil was drawn from ten bases and loaded at Shibushi, Kagoshima, on May 2 onto tankers near Higashikushira.
Four wholesalers will buy the oil for roughly 540 billion yen.
The government said the Hormuz blockade and a sharp drop in crude imports prompted the drawdown, which it expects will keep supply stable through next year.

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Story summary

Japan began a second round of oil reserve releases on May 1, supplying 5.8 million kiloliters—about 20 days of consumption.
The oil was drawn from ten bases and loaded at Shibushi, Kagoshima, on May 2 onto tankers near Higashikushira.
Four wholesalers will buy the oil for roughly 540 billion yen.
The government said the Hormuz blockade and a sharp drop in crude imports prompted the drawdown, which it expects will keep supply stable through next year.