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Tokyo plans to release about 80 million barrels from its emergency stockpiles, equivalent to roughly 45 days of domestic consumption, according to government officials. The decision is designed to stabilise fuel supplies and dampen price pressures as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery for global energy trade — has been severely disrupted by the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Takaichi said Japan would move ahead with the release rather than wait for coordinated international action, reflecting concerns that prolonged disruption could tighten supplies for import-dependent Asian economies. Officials indicated that private-sector reserves would be drawn down first, followed by state stockpiles, allowing domestic refiners to maintain operations and ensure sufficient petroleum product supply to the market.

Energy security has become an urgent priority for Tokyo as nearly all of its crude imports originate from Middle Eastern producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. Around 70 per cent of that oil typically travels through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that normally handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade.

The ongoing conflict has sharply reduced tanker traffic through the strait after missile and drone attacks targeted vessels and infrastructure across the region. Shipping companies have diverted or halted voyages, leaving more than a hundred tankers anchored outside the corridor while insurers raised war-risk premiums. Oil prices have surged above $100 a barrel amid fears of prolonged supply disruption and escalating geopolitical tensions.

Japan’s move also comes as the International Energy Agency considers one of the largest coordinated releases of emergency oil reserves in history. Member countries of the agency have discussed releasing hundreds of millions of barrels to counter supply losses triggered by the conflict and calm volatile energy markets.

Officials in Tokyo signalled that the unilateral step could be followed by participation in a broader international release if the crisis deepens. Policymakers argue that acting quickly could prevent domestic fuel shortages and limit the economic damage of rising energy costs.

Economic pressure is mounting across Japan as oil and liquefied natural gas prices climb. The country imports the vast majority of its energy resources, leaving it highly vulnerable to geopolitical shocks. Higher fuel costs have already begun to affect industrial production, with petrochemical producers scaling back output and transport costs rising across supply chains.

The surge in energy prices poses a challenge for Takaichi’s government, which has pledged to strengthen economic growth while managing inflation and stabilising household costs. Economists warn that sustained oil prices above $140 per barrel could slow economic expansion and revive fears of stagflation in a country already grappling with a fragile recovery.

Energy analysts say the planned release from strategic reserves may provide short-term relief but will not fully offset the scale of disruption if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains constrained. The waterway normally carries about 20 million barrels of oil each day, linking Gulf producers to major Asian consumers including Japan, China and South Korea.

Japan maintains one of the world’s largest emergency oil stockpiles. Combined government and private reserves are estimated to cover more than 200 days of consumption, giving authorities significant flexibility during supply shocks. Such reserves are designed precisely for crises triggered by geopolitical events or natural disasters that threaten global energy flows.

Government officials say the release will be phased to ensure a stable supply chain and avoid sudden market distortions. Domestic refiners are expected to receive the first shipments from storage facilities, allowing them to continue processing crude into petrol, diesel and other fuels.

The last major release of strategic reserves by Japan occurred during the global energy turmoil following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, when coordinated action among advanced economies sought to stabilise crude markets and ease inflationary pressure worldwide.

Current circumstances, however, present a more complex challenge because of the geographic concentration of supply risks. The Middle East remains the dominant source of Japan’s oil imports, and prolonged instability in the region could reshape energy strategies for Asia’s largest economies.

Policymakers in Tokyo have begun exploring longer-term measures to reduce exposure to supply shocks. Discussions include expanding renewable energy capacity, diversifying import sources and accelerating the restart of nuclear reactors that were shut down after the Fukushima disaster.

Supporters of nuclear power argue that restoring more reactors could lower dependence on imported fossil fuels and help shield the economy from geopolitical turbulence in global energy markets. Opponents remain cautious, citing safety concerns and public resistance in several regions.

Achieving the highest rating for LEED, WELL, and LOTUS; Bringing into society architecture that integrates environmental performance and human wellbeing in response to Vietnam’s growing air quality consciousness

HCMC, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Nikken Sekkei Ltd announces that Daikin Air Tower, Daikin’s new head office building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam conceptualized and designed by Nikken Sekkei, achieved the highest Platinum rating for LEED, the global environmental certification, and WELL, the global health certification, as well as LOTUS, Vietnam’s national environmental certification. This is the world’s first building to attain Platinum across all three certification systems.

As Ho Chi Minh City undergoes rapid economic growth, awareness is rising around air quality challenges driven by particulate matter (PM) including PM2.5 generated by increasing traffic and construction projects. In such a situation, protecting the health of people working in urban areas and delivering a safe, comfortable indoor environment has become one of the most critical themes in architectural design in Vietnam.

To address these challenges, this project has achieved the goal of “responding to Vietnam’s air quality with Daikin’s technology.” Adopting Daikin’s advanced air conditioning technology throughout the building, the project achieves both enhanced indoor quality and significant energy savings, realized through purposeful architectural approaches such as heat-insulating glass facades and reuse of rainwater, as well as naturally lit workspaces and clean indoor air systems. The building also incorporates a real-time monitoring system for tracking both energy consumption and indoor environmental quality. By pursuing a sustainable and comfortable office environment through both hardware and software solutions, the project achieved the highest Platinum rating across three certifications: LEED (v4 BD+C – Building Design and Construction), an international environmental certification for buildings and cities; WELL (v2 pilot), an international certification focused on human health and wellbeing; and LOTUS (New Construction v3), an environmental certification by the Vietnam Green Building Council.

For details, please visit:
https://www.nikken.jp/en/news/press_release/2026_03_12.html

Hashtag: #NikkenSekkei

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Nikken Sekkei

URL：https://www.nikken.jp/en/

The meeting was part of Indonesia‘s ongoing engagement with international partners to strengthen mutual understanding of sustainable forest management and the governance framework underpinning Indonesia‘s forest-based industries, including the emerging biomass sector.

Ade Mukadi, Director of Forest Product Processing and Marketing Development at the Ministry of Forestry, emphasized that Indonesia continues to strengthen its forest governance architecture to ensure that forest utilization is conducted responsibly and in accordance with national regulations and sustainability principles.

“Indonesia has established a comprehensive forest governance framework that integrates legality assurance, sustainability standards, and independent verification. We continue to enhance this system to ensure transparency, accountability, and supply chain integrity,” Ade stated.

Tokyo Gas and Hanwa are buyers of wood pellets produced by PT Biomasa Jaya Abadi (PT BJA), which operates in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province. Tony Rianto, Head of the Sub-Directorate for Forest Product Certification and Marketing, explained that Indonesia‘s forest governance system is guided by four key pillars: sustainable forest management that balances ecological, social, and economic functions; transparency and accountability; regulatory compliance; and respect for indigenous peoples and local communities.

Central to this framework is Indonesia‘s Timber Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK), a national assurance system ensuring that forest products originate from legal and sustainably managed sources. The system covers the entire supply chain—from harvesting and transportation to processing and export—and is implemented through independent verification bodies accredited to audit forest operators, industries, and exporters.

Furthermore, Indonesia continues to enhance the system in line with evolving global market expectations, including the development of geolocation-based monitoring at harvesting sites and the digitalization of transport and export documentation.

These measures are designed to strengthen traceability and support compliance with emerging international due diligence requirements, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

During the meeting, discussions also covered Indonesia‘s forest utilization planning framework, including the Annual Work Plan (RKT), which regulates harvesting activities under approved long-term forest management plans and incorporates biodiversity safeguards and conservation measures.

The Ministry reaffirmed that forest utilization activities are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental safeguards and sustainable forest management practices.

The meeting followed an earlier discussion between Tokyo Gas and Hanwa and the Pohuwato Regency Government on Monday (March 2). Regent Syaiful A.

Mbuinga confirmed that PT BJA has fulfilled all licensing requirements, operates legally, and contributes to the local economy by employing more than 1,500 workers.

Investment in Pohuwato, including from PT BJA, has contributed to regional economic growth of around 9%, with the local government maintaining strict oversight of investment activities in the region.

Hashtag: #TirtoIndonesia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Industry insights indicate that ride-hailing platforms are gradually expanding beyond core passenger transport, with increased focus on predictive safety capabilities, AI-enabled customer support, embedded payment systems, and more structured regulatory engagement.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 March 2026 – 2026 may be the year that more ride-hailing apps will expand their operations to become mobility superapps, according to industry experts who have analyzed the movements of multiple apps across the board. The analysis suggests that this shift will be driven by multi-service bundling, predictive safety features, boosted AI integration, cashless payment options, and coordination with regulators.

“Our global market review found that the way forward for ride-hailing platforms is to evolve into mobility superapps,” Evgenia Matrosova, inDrive Chief Ride-Hailing Officer, said. “Users want convenience more than anything, where diverse mobility solutions, proactive safety functions, and seamless digital payments can all be found in one platform. Integrated services won’t just push innovation forward; they signify reliability and flexibility on the road and beyond.”

#1 Ride-hailing apps may begin venturing into adjacent services.

More ride-hailing apps may begin expanding into adjacent mobility services this year due to an increase in global demand for integrated transport services. For instance, market intelligence firm Sensor Tower listed inDrive and other ride-hailing platforms among the most downloaded travel apps in 2025—revealing global demand for their expansion into adjacent travel services.

Zooming into the platforms’ service expansion, industry experts are optimistic about the potential in food delivery. Data shows that restaurants worldwide are considering working with delivery platforms that offer them more control over their profit margins.

A separate Ken Research study also revealed that online travel booking has also enjoyed similar local growth, with a projected revenue of Php 50 billion. This could boost pre-booked airport pickups’ popularity, with travelers viewing this as a much-needed convenience.

These all reveal one thing: the lines between passenger transport and adjacent mobility services are beginning to blur. Thus, ride-hailing apps may begin venturing into adjacent mobility services to create an all-in-one experience for users.

#2 Safety systems are slowly shifting from protection to prediction

At present, in-app safety features are often limited to real-time monitoring, emergency hotline buttons, and a speed dial to the platform’s 24/7 support. However, industry experts forecast that ride-hailing apps may begin using AI-powered analytics and risk modeling for predictive road safety measures.

For instance, the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories says that AI can collect traffic data, weather feeds, and other key information to predict collisions and recommend alternate routes. Predictive safety features like this can help ride-hailing apps move past interventionary measures and proactively protect their drivers and passengers.

#3 AI to enhance the in-app customer experience

Industry experts also say that mobility services may continue leveraging AI to improve customer experience. There are also early indicators that ride-hailing apps may experiment with using human-like AI voices in their customer support systems. AI may also be used in developing personal mobility agents that manage drivers’ schedules and earnings and intervene during emergencies.

With ride-hailing platforms considering venturing into food delivery, they may use AI to simulate customer interactions. Large language models can simulate dialogue-based ordering, allowing users to verbally dictate their orders or send them via chat platforms like WhatsApp. Not only would this speed up the delivery process, but it would also cater to users who prefer personal interactions.

#4 Ride-hailing apps eyeing seamless in-app payment systems

Cashless payment options, such as e-wallets and online bank transfers, are gaining popularity among Filipino consumers. A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report found that 57.4% of Filipinos’ retail transactions were paid online. This creates an opportunity for ride-hailing companies to make their payment schemes more seamless. They may consider embedding cashless payment options in their apps, which can automatically deduct their transaction from their attached online banking and e-wallet accounts.

inDrive’s internal research shows that Filipino commuters are also price-sensitive, often allocating tight budgets to their transportation expenses. This consumer attitude could pave the way for ride-hailing companies to install in-app wallets. These facilitate better online budgeting and accommodate users who prefer cash.

#5 Ride-hailing apps expected to continue to uphold price fairness

Strict regulatory compliance has always influenced the dynamics of the ride-hailing industry. In particular, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has been staunch in implementing its fare matrix. Just last December, the regulator imposed surge caps to maintain affordable holiday fares—underscoring its commitment to keeping prices affordable for passengers.

These trends paint a picture of what could come next for the ride-hailing industry this year. With these in mind, inDrive will continue to uphold transparency, safety, and inclusivity for drivers and passengers alike. For more updates on inDrive’s initiatives this year, visit www.inDrive.com or follow @inDrive.ph on social media.

Hashtag: #inDrivetrends #MobilityPhilippines

https://indrive.com/en-my

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About inDrive

inDrive is a global mobility and urban services platform. The inDrive app has been downloaded over 400 million times, and has been named the second most downloaded mobility app for the third consecutive year. In addition to ride-hailing, inDrive provides an expanding list of services, including intercity transportation, delivery, and financial services. In 2023, inDrive launched New Ventures, a venture and M&A arm.

inDrive operates in 1065 cities in 48 countries. Driven by its mission of challenging injustice, the company is committed to having a positive impact on the lives of one billion people by 2030. It pursues this goal both through its core business, which supports local communities via a fair pricing model; and through the work of its impact programs.

For more information visit www.inDrive.com