The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid rising Middle East tensions has once again exposed the vulnerability of Japan's import-dependent economy, with about 80 percent of naphtha, used to make materials such as plastics, sourced from the region.

Price spikes driven by procurement difficulties are forcing production cuts and price hikes of plastic-related goods, hitting household budgets in a society surrounded by petroleum-based products. One company's decision to switch food packaging to black-and-white printing due to a shortage of color ink has drawn attention.

The Japanese government has released oil stockpiles and is rushing to secure alternative suppliers, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stressing it will respond "without ruling out any possibility," but prolonged disruption would inevitably........

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