Japan Faces Plastic Shortages Amid Middle East Naphtha Supply Crisis
The Middle East is Japan’s primary source of crude oil, from which naphtha is derived. Naphtha is a crucial raw material used in the production of various items including printing ink and plastics.
Takeaway outlets, supermarkets, and bakeries across Japan are experiencing shortages of plastic bags, trays, and food service gloves, as the supply of naphtha tightens due to ongoing Middle East conflicts.
The food industry accounts for nearly one-third of Japan’s annual plastic consumption, which exceeds 8 million tonnes. The current price increases and supply shortages are significantly impacting this sector and others. In response, some businesses have started incentivizing customers to bring their own bags, plates, or containers.
The Middle East remains Japan’s main crude oil supplier, with naphtha extracted and utilized in the manufacture of a broad range of products including printing ink, plastics, adhesives, and medical supplies.
According to data from the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association (JPCA), polyethylene production used in shopping and garbage bags declined by 62% in March compared to 2025. Significant decreases were also reported in the production of other plastics.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration is under increasing pressure due to these shortages. While the government has described the issue as a supply “bottleneck” rather than a shortage, industry experts and commentators have disputed this, warning that conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout June. Public opinion polls indicate that this issue ranks among the most urgent concerns for citizens.
Since 2020, Japanese retailers have been required to charge for plastic shopping bags. Nevertheless, multiple layers of plastic packaging and wrapping remain common and are considered part of Japan’s service culture. This tradition is now being challenged as plastic supplies dwindle.
Local Business Responses to Plastic Shortages
At ColekoVer supermarket in a Kawasaki suburb south of Tokyo, manager Takeshi Takanohira has instructed staff to avoid placing fruits and vegetables in individual plastic bags, a practice customers had become accustomed to, due to rising prices and reduced availability.
“Since last month, we haven’t been able to get any of the little plastic trays we use for some produce, so we just have to make do without them,”
Takanohira said. He added that customers have generally been understanding, as the issue has been widely reported in the news.
One station away at the Le Main Qui Pense bakery, a notice explains that naphtha shortages caused by the Middle East war have led to a depletion of plastic bags used to keep baguettes fresh.
“We got some stock in mid-May but our supplier says they don’t know when the next batch is arriving,”
said Shisou Tanoshiri, who runs the bakery with her husband.
“And the plastic gloves for handling food are in very short supply as well … Japanese people are very particular about hygiene and cleanliness and many don’t like to reuse bags that directly touch food.”
In Kofu City, west of Tokyo, Hinode Delica is encouraging customers to bring their own plates or containers by offering free side dishes and extra toppings with their bento lunchboxes.
The shop’s manager revealed that their container supplier had informed them of a 30% price increase effective in June.
Impact on Waste Management and Regional Effects
Municipal waste collection systems, which often require strict separation of household waste into designated plastic bags of different colors, are also affected. Panic buying of these required bags has led stores to limit sales to two bags per customer. Some municipalities have relaxed regulations, allowing residents to use non-approved bags for waste disposal.
Japan is not alone in facing these challenges. Many East Asian countries also rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil and naphtha imports.
In South Korea’s capital, daily sales of plastic garbage bags surged nearly fivefold in March, prompting purchase restrictions and government reassurances.
“There is no need to worry about the supply of standard garbage bags,”
posted Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-whan on social media at the end of March.
Taiwan, one of the world’s highest per capita users of plastic bags—consuming approximately 9 billion annually—imports about 70% of its crude oil from the Middle East. Wholesale plastic prices have risen by as much as 40% this year, according to the Straits Times.
The Taiwanese government has urged citizens to remain calm, avoid hoarding plastic bags, and is monitoring companies for any signs of profiteering.
