[Editorial] Japan’s diplomacy in securing 60% of its crude oil via alternative routes is worth learning from

As the war in the Middle East drags on, the shortage of crude oil supplies is worsening. Countries around the world that are heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude are now waging a war in all but name to secure oil. Among them, the proactive response of neighboring Japan stands out.
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported on the 5th that the Japanese government plans to increase the volume of crude oil it secures next month by using alternative routes and other measures. According to the report, the government intends to secure crude equivalent to about 60% of the volume in the same period last year, through procurement via alternative routes and the release of reserves. This is a significant increase compared with this month’s expected crude intake, which is projected to be only about 20% of last year’s level for the same period.
Crude oil is an energy source often described as the lifeblood of industry, and naphtha derived from crude is a key feedstock often called the “rice of industry.” This is why countries around the globe are staking their national survival on securing oil supplies in a struggle where each must fend for itself. Japan is reportedly considering an alternative route that uses the Port of Fujairah near the exit of the Strait of Hormuz on the eastern side of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yanbu Port on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, then passes through the Red Sea.
Japan is also said to be procuring roughly four times last year’s crude volume from Texas, United States, and will receive additional supplies from the Republic of Azerbaijan. With these measures, Japan is expected to secure the crude oil it needs through early next year, which means it has, for now, largely dispelled immediate concerns.
On the 28th of last month, a tanker that had not passed through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the Middle East crisis began reportedly arrived in Japan. Japan’s active response does not stop there. It is reaching out to Central Asia, Latin America, Canada, and Singapore, among others. Notably, it is even planning to send an economic delegation to Russia—despite their adversarial relationship over territorial disputes—to discuss crude oil supplies.
Japan is not alone. The Republic of the Philippines, a staunch U.S. ally, announced that it has secured a guarantee from the Islamic Republic of Iran for the safe passage of its tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. Thailand, Pakistan, and Malaysia are also said to have obtained permission for tanker passage. Countries are competing to secure oil, even if it means setting aside their previous diplomatic positions, because they understand the enormous economic shock that a crude supply crunch would cause. In Japan, the impact of the oil shortage is already being felt not only at large factories but also across hospitals, agricultural facilities, and transportation systems.
Korea, too, is making efforts to secure crude oil through various channels. However, we must assume that the Middle East crisis could last for at least a year and respond far more aggressively in securing supply chains. There is no need to be overly concerned about how neighboring countries might view our actions. Our priority must be to minimize our own damage and safeguard our own survival. Japan’s assertive diplomacy, including its outreach to Russia, is something we should take into account.
Our sense of crisis and alertness remains insufficient. As major energy consumers, citizens must conserve fuel. Even if household energy supplies are curtailed, fuel for businesses must be maintained; companies must come first. If people voluntarily reduce car use and save electricity, these small individual actions, taken together, will become a powerful force in overcoming the crisis.