Japan and South Korea Plan Measures to Mitigate Middle East Tensions' Economic Impact

Japan and South Korea have announced plans to address the economic impact of tensions in the Middle East. According to RTHK, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance emphasized the need to stabilize commodity prices amid increased global oil price volatility due to the situation in the Middle East. The government plans to implement measures such as capping oil prices to stabilize consumer prices. It is anticipated that rising oil prices will intensify inflationary pressures in the coming weeks. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has also warned of strict penalties for refineries and gas stations hoarding fuel and colluding to raise prices. Reports indicate that South Korea, the world's fourth-largest oil importer, sources approximately 70% of its oil from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Japan's Finance Minister, Katayama Satsuki, stated that the government is prepared to swiftly implement measures to counter the economic effects of the Middle East conflict, including drafting a supplementary budget. She noted that Japan is currently experiencing inflation but has not entirely escaped the risk of deflation. The central bank maintains an accommodative monetary policy and is gradually adjusting its level of easing while closely monitoring market dynamics and the impact on the economy and prices.