2nd Half of Diet Session: Take Urgent Measures to Overcome Crisis in Middle East

Editorial

15:16 JST, April 8, 2026

As the war situation in the Middle East is becoming increasingly tense, the crisis over crude oil and other energy sources is severe. As a result, Japan is facing shortages of essential materials produced from petroleum.

The government and both the ruling and opposition parties must engage in constructive discussions on how Japan should deal with the critical situation, leading to concrete measures.

The fiscal 2026 budget, totaling about ¥122 trillion, has been approved. Although Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s goal of passing the budget proposal by the end of fiscal 2025 was not achieved, the compilation of a provisional budget prevented major administrative disruption. Local governments, which handle the practical operations of social security and education, were likely relieved.

During budget deliberations in the House of Councillors, the issue of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran became a focal point.

The Japanese government has released oil reserves and resumed subsidies to curb gasoline prices. In response, a number of lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties raised questions regarding whether the government should call on the people to conserve gasoline.

While Takaichi stated that “we have secured the necessary quantities” of oil and oil-related products, she only said that the government will “respond flexibly” regarding requests for energy conservation.

Takaichi likely hopes to avoid a situation in which the economy cools due to requests to conserve energy. However, amid concerns over a crude oil shortage, a sense of unease cannot be dispelled by continuing policies that increase demand.

Shouldn’t measures be taken while there is still a surplus in supply? Another option would be to narrow the scope of subsidies to businesses that are critically important for people’s daily lives, such as transportation and nursing care providers.

Supplies of petroleum-based products, such as plastics, are also beginning to falter. In the medical field, there are reportedly shortages of such items as rubber gloves used by doctors and other personnel, as well as tubes for dialysis machines. Prices for food packaging films have also risen, among other products. It seems inevitable that the situation will impact household budgets.

It is crucial for the government to monitor the supply status of essential materials and work to diversify procurement sources. If necessary, it should consider economic measures, such as providing support to industries that are indispensable for maintaining social functions.

It cannot be said that the debates on foreign and security policies in light of these attacks have deepened during the Diet deliberations so far.

The U.S. military has deployed Marines stationed in Okinawa Prefecture to the Middle East. If this deployment drags on, it could create a vacuum in military power in East Asia. Specific measures should be discussed to maintain deterrence capabilities.

In the latter half of the Diet session, attention is likely to focus on the debate between the ruling and opposition parties regarding ways to promote a stable succession to the Imperial throne. Debate on reforming the House of Representatives electoral system is also scheduled. In both cases, broad consensus is essential. The ruling and opposition parties must engage in thorough deliberations and find common ground.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 8, 2026)