Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa said on Tuesday that Japan does not plan to release additional national oil reserves in September and October. He said that since tankers that usually pass through the Mander Strait are being diverted to choose the Suez route, Japan's crude oil purchases in September are expected to drop from 100% in August to about 80% of the average monthly procurement volume last year. “Some of the national reserves that have been decided to be released remain unused due to progress in alternative supply guarantees. Using this portion of reserves will ensure that crude oil supply reaches the level of last year's average month.” He added that Japan expects crude oil purchases to return to last year's average monthly level in October.

Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa said on Tuesday that Japan does not plan to release additional national oil reserves in September and October. He said that since tankers that usually pass through the Mander Strait are being diverted to choose the Suez route, Japan's crude oil purchases in September are expected to drop from 100% in August to about 80% of the average monthly procurement volume last year. “Some of the national reserves that have been decided to be released remain unused due to progress in alternative supply guarantees. Using this portion of reserves will ensure that crude oil supply reaches the level of last year's average month.” He added that Japan expects crude oil purchases to return to last year's average monthly level in October.