Japan expects to secure crude oil import volumes in July matching those of the same month last year, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. The move comes as heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have nearly closed one of the world’s most critical oil shipping lanes.
To offset supply disruptions from the Middle East, Japan is increasing purchases from outside the region, particularly from the United States. The shift in import sources underscores Tokyo's efforts to stabilize energy supplies amid geopolitical volatility.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime chokepoint, is severely affected by ongoing conflict, forcing oil-importing nations like Japan to seek alternative sources to sustain economic activity.
