Japan confirms release of more oil reserves as concern over energy crisis grows

Sanae Takaichi in March approved the release of 50 days’ worth of oil – its biggest ever – as the government attempted to head off a spike in prices. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

Japan will release additional oil reserves early next month, the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said on Friday, as concern grows over energy shortages caused by the crisis in the Middle East.

It will be the second time that Japan, which is heavily dependent on Middle East oil, has dipped into its strategic reserves since the US-Israel war on Iran started in February.