Khaberni - Japan announced on Thursday that it had begun to release another part of its strategic oil reserve, aiming to mitigate the effects of rising prices resulting from the war in the Middle East on the resource-poor country.
Iran has closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's crude oil and gas passes, since the United States and Israel launched their attacks on the Islamic Republic on February 28.
Japan is the fifth-largest oil importer, importing more than 90% of its oil from the Middle East.
Kanami Morimoto, an official from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, told Agence France-Presse "the release (of the national stockpile) began at 10:59 am (01:59 GMT) to oil refineries."
The government's official spokesman, Minoru Kihara, confirmed that he was aware that "the transfer of oil from half of the storage stations to four oil refining companies is scheduled to start" on Thursday.
This move comes after Tokyo announced this week that it would release government stockpiles sufficient for a month, while officials began releasing private sector oil reserves sufficient for fifteen days.
Until Wednesday, 45 Japanese ships were stuck in the waters of the Gulf with 24 Japanese sailors on board, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Hitoshi Nagasawa, the president of the Japanese Shipowners' Association, told reporters on Wednesday that the association "strongly demands" the government help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated this week that the waterway "is only closed to enemies."
This came after Tehran informed the International Maritime Organization that "non-hostile ships" could cross the Strait of Hormuz if they comply with safety and security regulations.
Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, announced on Wednesday the organization's readiness to pump more oil "if necessary."
Birol's statements came in response to a request from Japanese Prime Minister Sanai Takaichi, who said during their meeting in Tokyo that she was prepared "to release (additional) oil reserves."
