Japan will primarily sell oil from its strategic reserves to domestic refiners, signaling no immediate plan to directly supply other Asian countries despite regional shortages, Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said. The reserves are legally intended to safeguard Japan’s own energy security, though Tokyo may consider case-by-case decisions for joint stockpiles held with producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. While countries including the Philippines and Vietnam have sou

Japan will primarily sell oil from its strategic reserves to domestic refiners, signaling no immediate plan to directly supply other Asian countries despite regional shortages, Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said. The reserves are legally intended to safeguard Japan’s own energy security, though Tokyo may consider case-by-case decisions for joint stockpiles held with producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. While countries including the Philippines and Vietnam have sought Japan’s support. Domestically, Tokyo is deploying fuel subsidies and seeking alternative supply sources, including increased imports from the US and Central Asia, to stabilize energy markets and protect industrial supply chains.