Japan intends to ask the US to import oil from Alaska amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi intends to make the request during his visit to the US scheduled for this week. It is emphasized that Japan hopes to diversify its oil supplies amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, from where Japan imports approximately 90% of its oil. Japan currently receives only 1.9% of its total oil imports from the US.
On March 16, Japan began releasing part of its strategic oil reserves due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The total volume of oil that will be available will satisfy the country's needs for 45 days. First, private reserves will be released, amounting to 15 days of consumption. At the end of March, it is planned to release state reserves, equivalent to one month of consumption under current conditions. This oil will be sold to wholesalers at relatively low prices, corresponding to the levels before the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.