‘Remain calm’: Japan is gripped by fears of a naphtha shortage. What is it and why are people worried?

Few had heard of the crude oil-derived chemical until recently, but shortages caused by the blockade of the strait of Hormuz have led to a spike in concern Japan’s government is fighting to cushion the economic impact of the Middle East war, as the shortage of oil sends inflation rising, with the crisis threatening to undermine prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s wide poll lead. Amidst it all, new polling shows that Japan has seen a surge in concern over shortages of naphtha, a crude oil product...

By Gavin Blair in Tokyo