Japan is gripped by fears of a naphtha shortage, a crude oil-derived chemical few had heard of until recently. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has caused supply disruptions, sparking widespread concern.
The Japanese government is working to cushion the economic impact of the Middle East war, as oil shortages drive inflation higher. The crisis threatens to undermine Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's wide poll lead.
New polling shows a surge in concern over naphtha shortages. Naphtha is used to make a wide variety of products, from plastics to petrol. The sudden attention to this once-obscure chemical reflects the severity of the supply crisis.
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