[Nihons plans to increase crude oil purchases from the Middle East after navigation in the Strait of Hormuz resumes] On November 11, Japanese oil refiner Shines Holdings Co., Ltd. President Tomohide Miyata said after the second quarter financial report conference in Tokyo that once navigation in the Strait of Hormuz resumes, the company plans to increase crude oil purchases from the Middle East. After the conflict between the United States and Iran broke out in late February, Persian Gulf crude oil exports were blocked. At one time, nearly half of the company's crude oil purchases came from the United States. Since then, the proportion of U.S. crude oil in its total purchases has fluctuated greatly, reaching as high as 20%, and at low times only accounting for a small part. The company will continue to consider purchasing crude oil from the United States, Canada and other regions outside the Middle East based on market conditions. "We will not only focus on supply diversification, but also take into account economic benefits and work with the government to find the best solution."