Japan is anxious about potential energy instability, particularly concerning the Middle East, even as talks between the US and Iran progress. Tensions remain high with Iran reopening shipping routes and US naval blockades persisting until a deal is reached.

Japan is hoping further US-Iran talks will ease tensions in the Middle East and help reopen the Strait of Hormuz permanently, but there is also mounting anxiety over what a failure could mean for the country as summer approaches. On Friday, Iran said it would reopen the strait for commercial shipping following a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, while US ⁠President Donald Trump added that a US naval blockade of Iran’s ports would ‌remain until a deal with Tehran was struck. The fear in Japan,...