Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa said escalating tensions in the Middle East are having an extremely severe impact on Asian energy markets. According to Sina Finance, Akazawa told reporters in Tokyo that, given the current situation in the Middle East, Japan's cabinet has approved three bills to strengthen the resilience of the country's energy supply and demand structure. He also said he will continue to closely monitor developments, including their impact on Japan's crude oil purchases.