The war in the Middle East, along with the global energy tensions it triggers, is having far-reaching effects even thousands of kilometers away from the front lines. In Japan, a curious concern has emerged on social media regarding a potential shortage of toilet paper. This fear stems from the rapid increase in oil prices and the significant limitations on shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global trade route. Many Japanese users have begun recalling the oil crisis of the 1970s, when surging energy prices led to a wave of panic buying in supermarkets, prompting calls on social media to stock up on essential goods before prices skyrocket and shelves are left barren.