Global oil inventories on the decline again amid Hormuz stalemate

CommoditiesUS ability to boost production in doubt amid volatile marketJapan's crude inventory has declined 18% since the start of the Iran war. © KyodoRIONA GOMIAugust 23, 2026 00:21 JSTTOKYO -- Global crude oil stockpiles have begun to decline again as the de facto shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz stalls Middle Eastern shipments, pushing up prices.Read NextOpinionHormuz shock calls for new Mideast-Asia oil partnershipsCompaniesIndian firms' profit growth hits 3-year high despite war shockCompaniesJapan Inc. raises full-year profit forecast to 14% jump on AI and chipsEconomyJapan's economy shows weaker than expected 1.1% growth in second quarterInsuranceJapan weighs state reinsurance for tankers to keep Gulf oil flowingInternational relationsJapan's Takaichi charts own course on Russian d