Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the war in the Middle East has had a “disproportionate impact” on the Asia-Pacific region, as she vowed to work closely with Japan to “navigate global disruption”, reports AFP.

Wong spoke during a visit to Tokyo, which comes just days before Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is due to travel to Australia and Vietnam.

Takaichi’s trip from May 1-5 is part of efforts to boost economic security and ensure the stable supply of energy as well as critical minerals, top government spokesman Minoru Kihara said.

In Tokyo, Wong met with counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi and hailed their “closely linked” supply chains which have seen Australia receive fuel imports from Japan.

The economic relationship “is increasingly important as we navigate global disruption”, she said.

“I look forward to continuing to coordinate with you our response following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disproportionate impact on our region.”

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil normally flows through the vital waterway and its closure has threatened supplies to Asian nations lacking their own energy resources.