TOKYO, March 22 – Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi indicated Sunday that his country might deploy military personnel to remove naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz following any potential ceasefire in the current U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Speaking on a Fuji TV program, Motegi outlined the possibility while emphasizing its conditional nature. “If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up,” he stated. “This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider.”
While Japan’s post-World War II pacifist constitution restricts military operations, security laws passed in 2015 permit the Self-Defense Forces to operate internationally when attacks on Japan or close allies pose existential threats and alternative solutions are unavailable.
The Foreign Minister noted that Tokyo currently has no immediate intentions to arrange safe passage for Japanese ships stuck in the strait. However, he emphasized the critical importance of ensuring all vessels can safely traverse the narrow passage, which handles one-fifth of global oil transportation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed with his Japanese counterpart on Friday the possibility of allowing Japanese-affiliated ships to pass through the waterway, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.
The strait serves as the route for approximately 90% of Japan’s oil deliveries. Tehran has mostly blocked the passage during the ongoing conflict, which has entered its fourth week. Rising global oil costs have forced Japan and other nations to tap into their strategic petroleum reserves.
During a Washington meeting Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to increase involvement, as he continues unsuccessfully urging allies to deploy naval vessels to reopen the waterway.
Following their summit, Takaichi informed reporters that she had explained to Trump the extent of assistance Japan could legally provide in the strait under current legislation.
