Japan may send minesweepers to Hormuz after Iran war ceasefire

2026.03.22 04:20 A Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force’s minesweeper makes a port call in Cambodia last year. Photo: Kyodo Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Sunday hinted at the possibility of sending the country’s Self-Defence Forces for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, provided that a ceasefire is realised in the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. “Japan’s minesweeping technology is at the top level in the world,” Motegi said during a television programme. “Let’s say [the parties have entered into a] ceasefire, and in the event that mines pose an obstacle, we may have to think about it,” he added, referring to a potential SDF dispatch. Motegi, who was present during Thursday’s Japan-US summit talks in Washington, recalled how US President Donald Trump was nodding when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi explained Japan’s legal limits on sending ships from its defence forces. The country’s top diplomat said there was “no specific promise” made nor any issue that Japan had to bring back home to consider. The conflict has escalated into one with broader implications for stability in the Middle East and global energy supplies since US and Israeli forces launched air strikes on Iran on February 28. Japan relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, most of which normally pass through the strait. Motegi separately said that one of two Japanese nationals who were detained in Iran was released. The person was released last Wednesday and got on a plane from Azerbaijan bound for Japan, according to the foreign minister. The Japanese foreign ministry said the individual, who had been detained since June, arrived in Japan on Sunday and had no health issues. “We are working towards the early release of the other individual,” Motegi said. A non-profit organisation has said the other Japanese national is the Tehran bureau chief of public broadcaster NHK, who was detained on January 20 by local authoriti

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