With temperatures already more than 30 degrees Celsius in parts of Japan and summer still ahead, it¡¯s a peak time for the air conditioner business.
But fears of naphtha shortages and a shrinking labor force mean those purchasing a new unit may pay more than last year and then be forced to wait up to a month to have it installed.
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has resulted in oil shipments being largely blocked from exiting the Strait of Hormuz since late February, sparking concerns about naphtha, which is derived from crude oil.
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