Japan’s ruling party policy chief says the threshold is extremely high for deploying warships to the Gulf, following a US call for reinforcements amid the Iran conflict.

TOKYO: A senior Japanese ruling party official stated the bar is “extremely high” for deploying warships to protect Middle Eastern oil shipping lanes. The comments follow a direct call from US President Donald Trump for allied reinforcements.

Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, made the remarks on a public broadcaster debate programme. He cited Japan’s existing legal framework and the ongoing conflict as reasons for extreme caution.

“Legally speaking, we do not rule out the possibility, but given the current situation in which this conflict is ongoing, I believe this is something that must be considered with great caution,” Kobayashi said. The conflict has seen Iran choke off the vital Strait of Hormuz and attack Gulf energy facilities after US and Israeli strikes.

Trump had earlier vowed the US Navy would “very soon” escort tankers and called for help from allies like Japan on Saturday. Japan is the world’s fifth-largest oil importer, with 70% of its supply normally transiting the now-closed Strait of Hormuz.

Deploying Japan’s Self-Defense Forces abroad remains politically sensitive due to the nation’s pacifist constitution. Prime Minister Takaichi told parliament last week that “nothing has been decided” regarding sending warships for escort duties.

Takaichi is expected to visit Washington this week for talks with Trump. Kobayashi said he hopes the prime minister will “ascertain what President Trump’s true intentions are” regarding the call for support.

Security in the Asia-Pacific region and the Iran war are likely discussion topics. Kobayashi added the leaders should discuss maintaining East Asian security as US troops are reportedly being redeployed to the Gulf from bases in Japan and South Korea.

 The Sun Malaysia