A Japanese beach sandal manufacturer warned that raw material shortages may lead to price increases and production halts starting in June 2026 [1, 3].

The instability threatens the availability of essential summer leisure goods across Japan. Because synthetic rubber and plastics rely on petroleum derivatives, a supply chain failure could leave retailers empty-handed during the peak tourism season.

TSUKUMO, based in Tokyo’s Edogawa-ku, produces beach sandals with 16 size options [1] and extensive customization, offering 10 color options for the upper and 10 for the strap [1]. However, President Hiroyuki Nakajima said the company has faced uncertainty since mid-April 2026 regarding when future deliveries will arrive.

Nakajima said the situation has reached a point where the company may be unable to produce sandals before the summer season. This crisis is driven by a "naphtha shock," where geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have reduced the supply of naphtha [1, 5].

The shortage extends beyond footwear. Manufacturers of leisure sheets have reported similar supply instability [2]. The crisis has sparked broader economic fears, with some reports suggesting that agricultural shipments could also be affected [5].

Public alarm intensified following a TBS program aired on April 4, 2026, where an expert suggested that Japan's naphtha supply could effectively run out by June 2026 [2, 4]. This specific claim has been a point of contention, as the office of Prime Minister Takashi Kishida denied the assertion, calling it a factual error [2].

Despite the government's denial of a total collapse, TSUKUMO is moving forward with expected price increases in June 2026 [3] to cope with the rising costs of the remaining raw materials [1].

“"this forward, we may not be able to make beach sandals before the summer season"”

The situation highlights Japan's extreme vulnerability to energy imports and raw material volatility. Because naphtha is a fundamental building block for the petrochemical industry, the 'shock' ripples from heavy industry down to consumer plastics and rubber. The contradiction between government assurances and manufacturer warnings suggests a widening gap between official policy and the operational reality of small-to-medium enterprises facing immediate supply shortages.