Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called on the International Energy Agency (IEA) to prepare for a further coordinated release of oil reserves, as global supply concerns intensify due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The request was made during talks with IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol in Tokyo, where Japan pushed for contingency plans should the crisis persist. According to reports, Takaichi asked the agency “to prepare to implement an additional release in case the situation drags on.”
Responding to the appeal, Birol signaled the agency’s readiness to act if necessary, stating it was “ready to move forward” with another coordinated release of strategic reserves depending on market conditions.
The move comes as energy markets remain under pressure following disruptions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, which has affected key oil transit routes and driven up global prices. Japan, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude, has been among the countries most exposed to the supply shock.
In recent weeks, IEA member countries have already agreed to a historic release of hundreds of millions of barrels from emergency reserves to stabilise markets. However, officials warn that continued instability could require further intervention to prevent prolonged shortages and price volatility.
Japan’s latest push underscores growing concerns among major economies that existing measures may not be sufficient if the conflict continues to disrupt global energy flows.
