Japan Defense Minister Says No Plans to Send Ships to Hormuz

Japan's defense minister said the country has no plans to dispatch naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz, pushing back against reported U.S. requests for coalition support amid escalating conflict with Iran.

Japan's Defense Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro told reporters Thursday that the country has no plans to send military ships to the Strait of Hormuz, effectively rejecting what sources describe as quiet U.S. requests for coalition support.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, but at this moment we have no plans to dispatch Self-Defense Force vessels to the region," Shinjiro said during a regular press briefing in Tokyo.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration seeks international partners to help secure the strategic waterway after Iran's mining campaign choked off global oil shipments. Japan imports most of its crude from the Middle East, with a significant portion passing through the strait.

KOIZUMI Shinjiro did not directly confirm whether the United States had formally requested Japanese participation. But his statement Thursday marked the clearest public signal yet that major U.S. allies are hesitant to commit naval assets while the conflict remains unpredictable.

Japan has maintained a delicate diplomatic balancing act in the region. It has historically relied on U.S. security guarantees while preserving economic ties with Middle Eastern nations, including Iran. During past Gulf tensions, Japan contributed financially to maritime security but avoided direct military involvement.

Opposition lawmakers have pressed the government on whether it faces pressure from Washington. KOIZUMI Shinjiro sidestepped those questions but reiterated that Japan's primary focus is protecting its own vessels and nationals.

The defense minister's comments follow similar caution from other U.S. allies. No formal coalition agreements have been announced since the White House began its outreach campaign last week.