Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated during discussions in the Diet that Japan is currently not considering sending its warships to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.
“Elchi” reports that the deployment of Self-Defense Forces is not currently under consideration.
The minister reminded that Japan’s existing legislation allows for the dispatch of Japanese vessels to the region if necessary to protect the lives, health, or property of Japanese citizens. However, he did not specify whether the current situation in the Middle East fits this scenario.
In turn, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara noted during a subsequent briefing that the Japanese side is aware of US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
No decision has been made yet regarding the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces.
At the same time, he pledged that Japan would continue diplomatic efforts in close cooperation with the international community to stabilize the situation in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
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