Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Sunday that Japan could consider deploying its Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire is reached in the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. The narrow waterway, which carries a fifth of global oil shipments, has been largely closed by Tehran during the four-week conflict, stranding vessels and driving up energy prices worldwide.
Speaking on Fuji TV, Motegi emphasized that any military deployment would be purely hypothetical and contingent on a complete cessation of hostilities.
"If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up," Motegi said. "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."
The statement marks Japan's most explicit acknowledgment yet of potential military involvement in the strategic waterway, despite constitutional restrictions that limit overseas military operations to cases where Japan's survival is threatened and no alternatives exist.
Japan's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil has left it particularly vulnerable to the strait's closure. About 90 ships have managed to cross the waterway since fighting began, even as Iran continues exporting millions of barrels despite the conflict. The disruption has forced Japan and other nations to tap strategic petroleum reserves as global prices spike.
Motegi acknowledged the delicate diplomatic position, telling reporters that Tokyo has no immediate plans to seek special arrangements for Japanese vessels stranded in the region. However, he stressed it was "extremely important" to create conditions allowing all ships to navigate freely through the chokepoint.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had spoken with Motegi on Friday about potentially allowing Japanese-related vessels passage through the strait, according to Kyodo news agency. The conversation underscores the complex web of bilateral relationships complicating the crisis.
The foreign minister's comments came days after a tense Washington summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday. Trump reportedly pressed Takaichi to "step up" and contribute warships to international efforts to reopen the strait—part of his broader, so far unsuccessful campaign to rally allied naval support.
Takaichi briefed Trump on the legal constraints limiting Japan's military options in the region, highlighting the constitutional hurdles that would need to be navigated before any deployment. The 2015 security legislation provides some flexibility, but falls short of the collective self-defense arrangements Trump appears to be seeking.
The Hormuz situation has become a litmus test for Japan's evolving security posture under mounting pressure from Washington. Six other allies have already signaled readiness to help ensure safe passage through the strait, leaving Japan increasingly isolated in its reluctance to commit naval assets.
Energy security concerns are driving Tokyo's calculations as much as diplomatic pressure. Japan's industrial economy remains heavily dependent on stable oil flows, making the strait's closure an existential threat to manufacturing and transportation sectors already struggling with supply chain disruptions from the conflict.
Motegi's hypothetical minesweeping scenario reflects the careful balance Japan must strike between constitutional constraints, alliance obligations, and economic necessity. While stopping short of immediate commitment, his remarks signal Tokyo's recognition that prolonged closure of the strait may eventually force difficult choices about military involvement.