Japan to start releasing extra 20 days' worth of oil reserves from May 1

TOKYO - The Japanese government said Friday it will additionally start releasing around 20 days' worth of oil reserves from May 1, amid uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal.

The move follows the initial release of some 50 days' worth of oil to the market that began in mid-March, from reserves held by the state and others to stabilize the resource-scarce nation's energy supply in the wake of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.