Prime Minister Takaichi said Monday that Japan is not yet at a stage where the government must ask citizens to further conserve gasoline.
The decision comes as opposition lawmakers warn that geopolitical instability in Iran could threaten energy security and deplete national reserves. A shift in policy now could signal a looming crisis, while maintaining the current course suggests the government believes its strategic buffers are sufficient to withstand short-term shocks.
During a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee in Tokyo, Yuko Mori, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, urged the administration to pivot its strategy. Mori said that without restrictive measures and public cooperation, the situation would become increasingly severe, noting that it is too late once reserves are gone.
Takaichi said that the government must keep life, medical services, and the broader economy running. She said that at this time, she does not believe it is the stage to ask the public for more deeply stepped-in savings.
To support this position, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released updated data on domestic oil stockpiles. The ministry said that Japan has secured enough oil to cover 241 days [1] of domestic demand. Based on this figure, the ministry said that the country has not reached a stage where savings requests are necessary [1].
Despite the current reserve levels, the government intends to follow its annual routine of calling for energy conservation to prepare for the high demand typically seen during the summer months. This standard appeal differs from the emergency conservation measures proposed by the opposition to mitigate the risks of the Iranian situation.
“"I believe that at this point, we are not at a stage to ask the public for further stepped-in savings."”
The Japanese government is betting on its strategic reserves to weather potential supply disruptions caused by Middle Eastern instability. By refusing to call for emergency conservation, the Takaichi administration is attempting to prevent public panic and avoid slowing economic activity, relying on the 241-day buffer as a psychological and physical shield against volatile oil markets.
