The shift in maritime traffic from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to the Suez Canal has extended delivery times from 23 days to 55 days. To manage the impact, officials intend to utilize the remaining portion of previously authorized reserves rather than initiating a new release. This strategy aims to stabilize supply levels to match last year’s monthly averages, effectively bridging the gap created by the redirected shipping routes.

Japan’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern producers—who account for 95% of its imports—highlights the country’s vulnerability to regional instability. Following the conflict escalation in February, Tokyo initiated an 80-million-barrel release to buffer against supply shocks. While the government has actively sought to diversify its energy portfolio by sourcing from Canada, Azerbaijan, and African nations, these efforts have coincided with record-high import costs, which climbed to $89.46 billion in July.