Japan is considering releasing about 20 days' worth of oil reserves as early as May, amid uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as Japan is making available about 50 days of oil consumption and has asked the International Energy Agency to consider a coordinated release of a second batch. The country now has enough oil for 230 days in its reserves. To help combat the crisis, Japan has introduced gasoline subsidies and increased coal-fired generation to reduce the need for liquefied natural gas.