Japan Officials Exploring Ways to Release Oil Reserves After US Request

Japanese government officials are seeking out ways to surpass restrictions on releasing national reserves of crude oil in line with other developed economies to dampen prices. CL1! Down -0.28%, USOIL down -0.14%

• The world’s fourth-largest oil consumer is limited on how it can react with its reserves that can be used in times of shortage.
• The government is looking into approaches to release the portion of the state-held stocks over the minimum amount set as a legal loophole.
• Japanese government officials are looking for private stocks that are part of the national reserve, with some policymakers stating that the reserves can be released with massive restrictions.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated that nothing had been agreed as Kishida stated that the government was in the process of considering what to do legally.
• Brent crude recovered from initial losses and was up nearly 0.5% after prices dropped significantly on Friday.