Financial Wire

Market Chatter: Japan Aluminum Shortage Threatens Auto Output

-- Japan's dependence on Middle Eastern aluminum is disrupting production as the Iran conflict curbs shipments and lifts prices about 13%, Bloomberg News reported Monday.

Auto and parts makers, including Toyota Motor (TYO:7203) and Denso (TYO:6902), are exposed, with about 70% of imports sourced from the region. Denso cut output by roughly 20,000 units in March, according to the report.

Kato Light Metal said it has inventory through May and will shift to Southeast Asian suppliers as Middle East deliveries halt, the report said.

Japan imported about 30% of its aluminum from the region in 2025, leaving it among the most vulnerable to shortages. Damage to refineries and shipping bottlenecks could keep supply tight for months, with broader disruptions likely as inventories run low, according to the report.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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