U.S. Asks Japan to Endorse Coalition over Situation in Strait of Hormuz; Japanese Officials Currently Refraining from Making Decision

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:33 JST, March 17, 2026

The United States has asked Japan to endorse a “maritime task force,” an international coalition to safeguard waters in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships, Japanese government sources said Monday.

During a telephone conversation on Sunday with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also expressed his intention to issue a joint statement with relevant countries soon that will emphasize the importance of freedom of navigation, and he requested that Japan express its support.

Hegseth told Koizumi that the maritime initiative is separate from the operations currently being conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran, and that specific details of the task force’s activities would be discussed over the next few days to weeks, according to the sources. Hegseth did not make any specific requests such as having Self-Defense Forces personnel or naval vessels dispatched to the area, saying that the initiative is not something entailing a commitment to send equipment.

He also told Koizumi the plan for the coalition would be a topic of discussion at the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, scheduled for Thursday in Washington, and that Trump was expected to once again seek Japan’s cooperation. Hegseth reportedly said that participation in the initiative would be limited to countries dependent on the strait for energy supplies, emphasizing the importance of the relevant nations working together as one.

Koizumi refrained from saying whether Japan would endorse the initiative, although he explained that Japan is working to bring the situation under control as soon as possible.

A senior Japanese government official said Monday that the coalition is one option for addressing the current situation, indicating that Japan intends to proceed with discussions while keeping cooperation with the initiative as a possibility.

Some of the relevant nations are viewing the task force with caution.

In 2019, under the first Trump administration, the United States launched an international coalition to ensure the safety of navigation around the strait. Washington called for cooperation then from more than 60 nations in Asia and Europe, including Japan, but Tokyo refrained from taking part in the group out of consideration for Iran, with which it has traditionally maintained friendly relations. However, it did independently send a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer to the surrounding waters for “survey and research” purposes.

The joint statement is reportedly being arranged under the leadership of the United States and Britain, with France, South Korea, China, India and Japan having been approached about joining in. The U.S. side has indicated that China will not endorse the joint statement.

Koizumi declined to comment during a press conference on Tuesday morning regarding the task force. “I will refrain from commenting on the specifics of our exchange,” Koizumi stated, adding, “We intend to respond while maintaining close communication with relevant countries, including the United States.”