Iran Conflict Causes Aluminum Shortage, Japanese Automakers Under Pressure from Production Cuts

Published: Apr 20, 2026 15:22

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[Iran Conflict Triggered Aluminum Supply Deficit, Japanese Automakers Under Pressure] Affected by the conflict in Iran, critical shipping lanes were disrupted, forcing Japanese enterprises to cut production and urgently seek alternative supply channels. Japan was highly dependent on aluminum material imports from the Middle East, with approximately 70% of the country's automakers' aluminum semis imports coming from the Middle East region, among which automakers and parts producers such as Toyota and Denso were hit the hardest. Since the outbreak of the Iran conflict in late February, Japan's aluminum alloy prices had risen by approximately 13%.

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