A shortage of naphtha is delaying air-conditioner installations and raising prices for consumer goods across Japan [1, 2, 3].
The crisis, termed the "naphtha shock," occurs during a period of record-high temperatures. Because naphtha is a primary feedstock for plastics and chemicals, the shortage disrupts the production of essential components for cooling systems and a wide array of household products [1, 2].
In Tokyo and other prefectures, consumers are facing significant delays. The waiting time for air-conditioner installation work has reached three weeks [1]. These delays are compounded by a surge in demand driven by stricter energy-efficiency standards slated for 2027 [1].
Industry reports suggest that shipments have been suspended in several areas due to a lack of available stock [3]. Experts said the situation is a "clogging" of the logistics network [3]. This bottleneck is attributed to global oil-product disruptions, including issues in the Hormuz Strait, which have hindered the flow of materials [3].
However, official government accounts contradict the reports from the field. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said the necessary amount of naphtha has been secured for the whole of Japan [2]. Prime Minister Takashi said that supply can continue through the end of the year [1].
Despite these assurances, manufacturers and retailers report a starkly different reality. While the government maintains that national reserves are sufficient, local distributors continue to report that they cannot obtain the materials needed to meet current demand [1, 2].
“The waiting time for air-conditioner installation work has reached three weeks.”
The discrepancy between government data and industry reality suggests a critical failure in the "last mile" of Japan's chemical supply chain. While total national volume may be sufficient, logistics bottlenecks are preventing materials from reaching factories. This indicates that the 2027 energy-efficiency transition may create permanent structural pressure on naphtha demand that current logistics infrastructure cannot support.
