Japan Mulls Sending SDF Minesweepers to Strait of Hormuz

Rome, June 15 (Jiji Press)–Following the U.S.-Iran agreement to end their armed conflict, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has seriously begun considering whether to deploy the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s minesweeping units to the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire is a prerequisite for Japan’s dispatch of minesweeping vessels. There are many uncertainties, such as the number of naval mines laid in the strait. The Japanese government plans to make a decision in a cautious manner by keeping in contact with Iran and other countries concerned, while watching closely whether the agreement would be implemented. On Monday morning, Takaichi told reporters in Rome, where she stayed ahead of her visit to France to attend a Group of Seven summit, that she welcomes the U.S.-Iran peace deal as “a major step toward bringing the situation to a close.” In Tokyo the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference that the agreement “is expected to reduce downside risks for the Japanese and global economies.” A sense of relief has spread within the Japanese government. “We’re likely to get smooth crude oil supplies,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said. At the same time, Takaichi said it is “important that the memorandum (of understanding between Washington and Tehran to end their fighting) is implemented steadily and that free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is actually secured.” She said Japan will join a joint statement announced by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy in which the four European countries vowed their commitment to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the strait. “We need to consider which minesweeper to dispatch,” a senior Japanese government official said. When U.S. President Donald Trump met Takaichi in March, Trump asked Japan to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi replied, “There are things we can and cannot do within the bounds of the law.” The SDF law allows post-conflict removal of abandoned mines. However, the full picture of the U.S.-Iran memorandum is not clear, and moves by Israel, which launched fresh air strikes against Lebanon shortly before Washington and Tehran reached their deal, are unpredictable. A Japanese government official said, “We hope the situation won’t keep changing.” “We need to ask the Iranian government to provide information,” the official said, citing the location and quantity of the mines, whether they have been abandoned, and whether they have actually been laid in the first place. At Monday’s press conference, Kihara, Japan’s top government spokesman, said that “nothing has been decided” regarding Japan’s deployment of minesweepers. A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official indicated that the government will consider humanitarian and reconstruction assistance alongside the possibility of sending minesweeping vessels. On the possible SDF dispatch, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told a press conference on Tuesday, “We will consider necessary measures within the bounds of international and domestic law, while maintaining communication with relevant countries, including the United States.” Koizumi also said that Japan decided to participate in the joint statement by the leaders of the four European countries “from the perspective of supporting and reinforcing the international community’s determination to ensure free and safe navigation for vessels of all countries” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]