Tokyo plans to increase financial backing for Japanese companies investing in overseas oil pipeline projects, particularly in the Middle East. The move aims to create alternative oil and gas transport routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global energy shipments. The government will consider measures such as risk-capital funding to encourage Japanese firms to participate in such ventures, according to a recently released document. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen energy security by diversifying supply routes in the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes, has been a point of geopolitical tension. By supporting pipeline projects that circumvent this strait, Japan hopes to reduce its vulnerability to potential disruptions. The exact details of the financial support, including the amount of funding or specific projects, have not been disclosed. Japanese companies have historically been involved in energy infrastructure projects abroad, and this new policy is expected to further their engagement in the region.