Amid China’s silence, Japan steps up role in Middle East crisis
Japan is moving to play a more visible diplomatic and economic role in the Middle East crisis as the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts energy supplies and rattle global markets, potentially filling a leadership vacuum left by China’s silence.
In recent weeks, Tokyo has stepped up diplomatic outreach, energy coordination and economic contingency planning, positioning itself as a stabilising actor as the conflict threatens oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for Asian economies.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also taken a clearer public stance than Chinese President Xi Jinping, condemning the war and particularly Iran’s attacks on civilian facilities.
Additionally, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday urged Iran to exercise restraint during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling for an early de-escalation as attacks between the warring sides intensify.
“The continued exchange of attacks has worsened the regional situation, and I called for an early de-escalation,” Motegi told reporters.
He also pressed Iran to stop attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf states and end threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which much of Japan’s energy imports pass. Motegi additionally sought the release of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran.
Oil release pledge
The diplomatic engagement comes as Tokyo moves aggressively to cushion the economic fallout from the conflict.
Japan has pledged to release 80 million barrels of oil as part of an unprecedented 400-million-barrel coordinated intervention by 32 members of the International Energy Agency, aimed at calming markets shaken by the prospect of supply disruptions.
Takaichi said the government would begin releasing oil reserves as early as Monday as tankers struggle to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“As oil tankers continue to be virtually unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, oil imports into our country are expected to decrease significantly from later this month,” Takaichi said.
Japan plans to release 15 days’ worth of private reserves and one month of state reserves, marking the first time the country has independently tapped its stockpiles to stabilise markets.
Preparations at home
But back home, the crisis is also reshaping Japan’s domestic energy debate.
Opposition leader Yuichiro Tamaki of the Democratic Party for the People has called for the country to restart all available nuclear reactors to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern fuel.
“Unless we make full use of nuclear power… electricity bills will inevitably rise,” Tamaki said.
Japan shut down all 54 reactors after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, but only 15 of the remaining operable units have since restarted.
Economic officials are also preparing for wider economic fallout, with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama saying the government was coordinating with G7 partners and stood ready to act against market volatility triggered by the conflict.
“Markets are very volatile in the wake of developments in Iran. We are ready to take all necessary steps, coordinating closely and nimbly with overseas authorities,” she told parliament.
With energy security and market stability at stake, Tokyo appears increasingly ready to step into the diplomatic and economic space left open.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
