History of Japan Self-Defense Forces’ Overseas Deployments Driven by U.S. Administrations

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:02 JST, March 17, 2026

The expansion of overseas deployments by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have been driven by requests made by the United States.

During the 1990 Persian Gulf crisis, then U.S. President George H.W. Bush effectively demanded the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces in a summit meeting with then Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu. Japan instead provided financial support to the multinational force during the Gulf War, drawing criticism for engaging in “checkbook diplomacy.”

In 1991, after the ceasefire, Japan sent Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweepers to the Persian Gulf to remove naval mines. This became the Self-Defense Forces’ first overseas mission.

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi quickly expressed support for the United States in its fight against terrorism. Japan enacted the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law in October that year and dispatched MSDF destroyers to the Indian Ocean, where they carried out refueling operations for U.S. naval vessels and others.

The United States launched military attacks on Iraq in March 2003, and Japan passed the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq in July that year. From 2004 the Self-Defense Forces engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction support, including through the restoration of medical and water supply facilities.

Japan enacted security-related laws in 2015, revising the framework for international contribution that had previously relied on ad hoc special measures legislation each time a new problem arose.

Under the survey and research provision of the Law for Establishment of the Defense Ministry, Self-Defense Forces ships and aircraft have conducted vigilance, surveillance and information-gathering activities in the Middle East since 2020 to help ensure the safety of vessels sailing through sea lanes.

At the time, the first Trump administration called on about 60 countries to join its maritime security initiative aimed at safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz. However, Japan chose not to participate and instead opted for an independent deployment. It excluded the Strait of Hormuz from its area of operations so as not to provoke Iran.