Speaking in Canberra after talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Takaichi said both countries would act with urgency to strengthen energy security amid a supply squeeze linked to reduced shipping through the strait.

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil typically transits through the Strait of Hormuz, with flows curtailed after Iran throttled shipping following attacks by the United States and Israel. About 80 percent of that oil is destined for Asia, according to the International Energy Agency.

“The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been inflicting enormous impact on the Indo-Pacific,” Takaichi told reporters, adding that Japan and Australia would maintain close communication to respond to the situation.

Both governments said they would seek to enhance resilience and autonomy in energy supply chains. Australia is Japan’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, while Japan provides a share of refined fuel products, including diesel, to Australia.

The two sides issued a series of agreements covering energy, economic cooperation, defense and critical minerals. Albanese said the measures would help shield Australia from “global shocks” stemming from conflict in the Middle East.

Japan has also emphasized the importance of securing stable supplies of critical minerals used in semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries and defense systems. Australia has positioned itself as a key supplier of such resources, highlighting its reserves as an alternative to concentrated global supply chains.

Defense cooperation has expanded alongside economic ties, including a deal valued at around Aus$10 billion for Japan to supply Mogami-class stealth warships to the Australian navy.

In a separate foreign policy address in Vietnam over the weekend, Takaichi reiterated Japan’s commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” a strategy aimed at strengthening regional security and supply chain resilience.
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Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the United Nations’ maritime agency, made the remarks in an interview published on Friday by China’s Xinhua news agency, prior to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that Iranian power infrastructure could be targeted if the strategic waterway was not kept “fully open” within 48 hours.

Mousavi, who also serves as Iran’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, said ships not associated with Iran’s adversaries would be permitted to transit the strait, provided they coordinate security and safety arrangements with Tehran.

He added that Iran would continue working with the International Maritime Organization to ensure maritime safety and the protection of seafarers in the Gulf region.The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

Concerns over potential Iranian attacks during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign have already deterred many vessels from using the route, raising the risk of disruptions to global energy supplies.

Mousavi said diplomacy remained Tehran’s priority but emphasized that a “complete cessation of aggression” and the restoration of mutual trust were essential. He attributed the current situation in the strait to what he described as Israeli and U.S. attacks against Iran.

Trump’s earlier warning has heightened fears of further escalation in the region, with shipping security and energy market stability closely tied to developments in the waterway.