44% of Japanese Companies Face Petrochemical Supply Shortages Amid Iran Conflict

The Japanese Food Industry and Retail Union has announced that following the war against Iran, approximately 44 percent of Japanese companies are experiencing challenges in securing naphtha and other petrochemical raw materials. These materials are essential for producing plastics and packaging for many consumer goods.

According to RIA Novosti, the union stated that the shortage of naphtha, the main feedstock for the petrochemical industry, has impacted production processes in certain segments of the food industry and retail networks, raising concerns about the continuity of supply for some products.

The Japanese government has also reported that the country’s naphtha reserves are sufficient for only about four months. This situation could exert further pressure on dependent industries if current conditions persist.

Following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s vital routes for the transportation of energy and raw materials, and any insecurity there could affect the global supply chain, including markets for petrochemical products, chemical fertilizers, and fuel.