Iran crisis exposes Japan's oil reserve risks

Tokyo finds 20% of stockpiles potentially inaccessible in winter

20200110N Japan oil reserve

Rough seas threaten to make crude oil storage yards like this one in northern Japan's Akita Prefecture inaccessible during winter, a government assessment finds.

SOTARO YUMAE, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- A fifth of Japan's crude oil reserves may become inaccessible during winter, a recent government inspection found, forcing the country to reevaluate its preparedness for a potential Middle East energy crisis.

Japan's total oil reserves came to 81.98 million kiloliters, or 515.64 million barrels, as of October, enough to meet domestic demand for 234 days.

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