Vietnam urges Japan to supply crude oil, aviation fuel amid Middle East tensions

Chinh made the request on Tuesday during a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Naoki Ito as Hanoi seeks stronger cooperation with international partners to safeguard energy security.

The prime minister pointed to increasingly complex developments in the Middle East, particularly risks to shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz that could disrupt crude oil supplies to several Asian markets, including Vietnam and Japan, amid a conflict that began on February 28 involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

He said he had sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlining a range of proposed support measures.

Given the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the prime minister proposed that Japan create favorable conditions for Vietnam to access part of the roughly 80 million barrels of crude oil Tokyo is considering releasing from its national reserves to stabilize the market.

He also urged Japan to facilitate Vietnam’s purchase of aviation fuel from its reserves and expressed confidence that, through continued cooperation, the two countries would not only overcome current challenges but further strengthen their bilateral ties.

In addition, Chinh called for Japan’s support in enabling the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, a joint venture between Vietnam, Japan, and Kuwait in north-central Thanh Hoa Province, to diversify its crude supply sources.

He said the measures would help safeguard Vietnam’s energy security while minimizing potential disruptions to businesses from both countries involved in the project.

For his part, Ito said Vietnam-Japan relations have continued to grow strongly, noting the prime minister’s contributions to bilateral ties.

He agreed with the assessment of the Middle East situation’s impact on the global economy, saying Japan is discussing ways to cooperate with Vietnam in addressing its current energy challenges.

The ambassador said he would report the proposals to the Japanese government and relevant authorities, adding that Japan has decided to release oil reserves and is encouraging other G7 countries to follow suit to boost supply.

He added that Japan is working to arrange financing and remove obstacles for its LNG to power projects in Vietnam under the Japan’s Asia Zero Emission Community initiative, contributing to the country’s long-term energy security.

Beyond Japan, Chinh also discussed energy cooperation in separate meetings the same day with ambassadors from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, urging the swift implementation of agreements to ensure stable oil and LNG supplies to Vietnam.

Both envoys affirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Vietnam’s energy needs and strengthening bilateral ties, including potential cooperation in energy storage and long-term supply.