Japan's Government to Release Oil Reserves Starting from the 16th, Scale of Approximately 80 Million Barrels

The Japanese government plans to release oil reserves starting on the 16th to ease the rise in oil prices caused by tensions in the Middle East. The total release will be approximately 80 million barrels, enough to supply Japan for 45 days, making it the largest release since the country’s national oil reserve system was established in 1978. Japan’s oil reserves include both private and national reserves. As of December 2025, the national reserves can sustain 146 days of supply, while private reserves can sustain 101 days. Since transporting reserves from storage facilities to refineries takes a relatively long time, the Japanese government has decided to first utilize private reserves.