Japan has sharply increased crude imports from the United States as a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts its traditional supply structure. U.S. import volumes in July reached roughly 12 times March levels, making the United States Japan’s largest single-country supplier. The Middle East nevertheless remained the dominant regional source, accounting for about 60% of total supply, down from more than 90% before the blockade. Equipment constraints at Japanese refineries, which are configured for Middle Eastern crude grades, mean that dependence is expected to persist for the foreseeable future, although the U.S. share is projected to decline in September and October. Shipping data also show at least 16 shuttle tankers (vessels repeatedly moving cargo between ports) operating across the strait since March. Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are using shuttle transport and ship-to-ship transfers (cargo transfers between vessels) to restore exports, but the system remains more costly, complex and vulnerable to safety, insurance, capacity, weather and security constraints. Qatar’s LNG exports have fallen 96% year-on-year over six months, highlighting how the disruption differs across energy commodities. Alternative pipeline projects and expansions are also being pursued, while global oil markets continue to test the sustainability of the new logistics network as the blockade persists.