Takaichi Seeks to Reassure Japan Firms Over Naphtha Supply

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said there will be enough supply of naphtha to meet domestic demand until next year, even as companies raise concerns about supply chain instability following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Naphtha imports from areas outside the Middle East, such as the US, Algeria, and Peru, will increase threefold by May, compared with levels before the Middle East conflict,” Takaichi posted on social media on Thursday. She said there have been disruptions in the supply chain due to overbuying of petroleum products by some firms.