The Strait of Hormuz blockade has triggered a severe naphtha shortage in Japan and South Korea, forcing manufacturers to ration supplies. Companies like Calbee and Kagome have switched to black-and-white packaging to conserve ink, while supermarkets report plastic wrap shortages. Japan imports 75% of its naphtha from the Middle East, creating immediate vulnerabilities.

Supply chain disruptions are escalating as Japan's naphtha imports fell 79% in April. Petrochemical companies face production cuts, with some declaring force majeure on shipments. The shortage affects everything from consumer packaging to medical equipment, with no easy substitutes for industrial-grade materials that naphtha produces.

Japan and South Korea are scrambling to secure alternative supplies from Russia and the US, but public anxiety is rising. Prime Minister Takaichi's cabinet approval rating has dropped sharply as 70% of Japanese respondents express concern about daily life impacts. Without safe passage through the Hormuz Strait, the economic damage will worsen.