Amid shortage concerns, Japan works to secure supplies of raw materials

The Japan Times
2026.05.22

The stoppage of Japan’s oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz has raised questions about what happens to available supplies of petroleum-derived naphtha across a broad range of industries.

For the agricultural industry and food-packaging businesses, worries are particularly acute about what an oil and naphtha shortage could mean to not only agricultural production but also supply chains and individual consumers.

Addressing these concerns, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a government meeting on April 30 that supplies of polyethylene — a raw material derived from naphtha and used to make plastic food packaging containers — were sufficient, based on last year’s demand.

Takaichi said the government has received reports that some orders for packaging containers couldn’t be fulfilled. Customers for such containers in the seasoning industry, particularly those that produce a variety of sauces, have expressed concerns that it could be difficult for consumers to obtain condiments in the future.

“However, the agriculture ministry and the trade ministry have collaborated to verify the supply status of commercial packaging containers. They confirmed that seasoning manufacturers will be able to secure containers for the time being,” the prime minister said.

Takaichi’s announcement followed comments by agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki, who said there was nothing the government had seen to indicate a general, overall shortage of supply for any particular material. The ministry, however, is investigating the availability of 57 heavily used materials in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food industries.

Read more here.

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