Japan will distribute 50 million medical gloves from its national stockpile to facilities experiencing shortages. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the measure, set to begin in May, to mitigate the impact of the Middle East war on vital supplies.
The move addresses a supply crunch linked to the conflict's disruption of oil-related products, such as naphtha, a key component in manufacturing plastics and other materials used for medical equipment. Resource-dependent Japan is also exploring economic relief for Southeast Asian economies facing similar supply chain pressures.