TOKYO, March 25 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi asked International Energy Agency chief Fatih

Birol for an additional coordinated release of oil stockpiles

when they met on Wednesday, as Tokyo seeks to hedge against a

prolonged Middle East conflict.

After agreeing to release a record amount of oil stockpiles

in coordination with the IEA to cover for the Middle East supply

loss, Takaichi on Tuesday said Japan would also open up joint

oil stockpiles co-owned by producing nations in the country.

In Australia this week ahead of a Group of Seven meeting,

Birol said the IEA is consulting with governments in Asia and

Europe about the release of more stockpiles "if necessary," as

the Iran war disrupts flows from the Middle East.

"In preparation for the possibility that the situation

becomes prolonged, I asked that preparations be made for an

additional coordinated release," Takaichi said in a social media

post. "We will continue to work closely with the IEA."

The joint release of 400 million barrels, agreed upon on

March 11, is only 20% of the oil and oil-product stocks held by

consuming nations that the IEA is coordinating, Birol said in

Tokyo on Wednesday.

"If and when necessary, we are ready to move forward, but I

very much hope that it will not be necessary," Birol said after

meeting Takaichi.

There are 45 Japan-related ships that are still stranded in

the Gulf as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, said Hitoshi

Nagasawa, chairman of the Japan Shipowners' Association and also

head of Japan's NYK Group, one of the world's largest

shipping companies, on Wednesday.