TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan will consider coordinated release of oil reserves and other measures if needed to ensure sufficient supplies after attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, its minister of economy trade and industry, Mr Isshu Sugawara, said on Tuesday (Sept 17).

Mr Sugawara has previously said that Japan has oil reserves that are enough to cover more than 230 days of domestic consumption and the ministry will cooperate with the International Energy Agency and other nations and provide the necessary supply of oil through such means as the coordinated release of its reserves if necessary.

Oil prices rose nearly 15 per cent on Monday, with Brent logging its biggest jump in over 30 years amid record trading volumes, after an attack on Saudi Arabian crude facilities cut the kingdom's production in half.