Soaring oil prices triggered by the Middle East conflict are rippling through Japan's economy, which could worsen as summer approaches, according to a Japanese economist.

Japan relies on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, making it highly vulnerable to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The uncertainty has driven sharp rises in crude oil prices.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG), Kohei Mitsunami, associate professor at Teikyo University's Department of Business Administration, expressed concern over how Japan's policymakers will manage existing financial resources to rein in energy costs.