No waiting with the “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz, a major blow to daily life! No one can escape from the “Naphtha Crisis

Shampoo, toilet paper,
contact lenses, and other daily necessities.
to clothing and medical supplies.

The chaos is only deepening.

The U.S. and Iran seemed to have reached a ceasefire agreement in a blitz, but peace talks have broken down. As Iran continues its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. has stepped up its “reverse blockade,” and tensions between the two countries are rising again. International journalist Toshihiro Yamada analyzes the U.S. aims.

By taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. probably wants to reduce Iran’s bargaining cards. But that is not the only aim. U.S. President Trump (79) may want to check China’s dependence on Iranian oil.

A U.S.-China summit is scheduled for May 14-15. President Trump wants to use the Iran situation to achieve trade results, such as the resumption of large-scale imports of American agricultural products from China and the easing of restrictions on rare earth exports. He may use the Iran situation as a bargaining card in those talks.”

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s largest crude oil transportation chokepoint, has affected the entire world, and Japan, which relies on the Middle East for more than 90% of its crude oil, has been directly affected. Although people tend to focus on energy, such as gasoline prices, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing a crisis in the supply of “certain substances” that are directly related to daily life. It is naphtha, a liquid refined from crude oil.

See the table below. Naphtha is used as a raw material for a wide variety of products, including plastics, synthetic fibers for clothing, synthetic rubber for tires, and chemicals such as detergents and disinfectants, and is called the “blood of modern civilization” due to its importance.

Japan imports about 40% of its naphtha from the Middle East and refines about 40% domestically, but the raw material is also crude oil that it depends on imports from the Middle East. On April 5, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (65) posted on her SNS about naphtha inventories,

The suggestion that “Japan will not be able to secure supply in June” is a factual misconception.

The next day, he posted on his social networking site that “Japan will not be able to secure supply in June. The next day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (56) responded at a regular press conference that the government expected to be able to secure enough inventory to meet six months of domestic demand, thus taking a preemptive step toward alleviating public anxiety.

However, we must not forget that the government’s view is only a forecast based on total volume conversion. For example, there may be enough ethylene for three months, but only one month’s worth of propylene remains, and so on.

syringes, paints, and air conditioners.

On April 13, Asahi Kasei announced a price hike for saran wrap due to naphtha supply concerns. The Mitsubishi Chemical Group has raised the price of raw materials for disposable diapers, Kuraray has raised the price of leather material for school bags, and so on.

The effects of the “naphtha crisis” are not limited to daily life. Many of the syringes used in hospitals are made from naphtha. Naphtha is also used in infusion bags, catheters, and other products, and any delay in the supply of naphtha will have a direct impact on our lives.

At construction sites, building materials and paint thinner are also derived from naphtha, making it impossible to build or repair one’s home. This summer is also expected to be extremely hot, and a large amount of plastic made from naphtha is used in air conditioners. If they break down, they will have no choice but to endure the hot summer.

How should we prepare for the looming naphtha crisis? Preparedness and disaster prevention advisor Tomoya Takani talks about the importance of prioritizing.

The variety of products made from naphtha is so great that it is impossible to predict exactly what the inventory shortage will be and when it will become severe, which is the frightening part of this problem,” he said. Therefore, the important thing in preparation is to clarify the priorities for oneself and one’s family.

Of course, items that are ‘part of the body’ such as glasses, contacts, hearing aids, etc., but if you have a baby, a person requiring nursing care, or a pet, diapers, toilet mats, etc., will be high on the list of priorities. It is important to identify what is needed because it affects so many products.

However, there is a stock of any product in circulation, so the impact should not be noticeable for several months. Rushing to stock up will create needless confusion, so be sure to stockpile only what you need, and steadily.”

There is no way to escape the naphtha crisis, which is uncontrollable and unpredictable. The only thing we can do is to prepare calmly and solemnly.

From “FRIDAY,” May 1-8, 2012