Japan Mulls Additional Liaison Personnel for U.S. Central Command

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:26 JST, March 18, 2026

The Defense Ministry has begun considering sending additional liaison personnel to the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla., which is responsible for overseeing the Middle East region, it has been learned. The consideration is in response to the tense situation in Iran.

Seeking to gain an accurate grasp of the latest military developments, the move would bolster communication between Japan and the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking vessels, according to government sources.

The Self-Defense Forces have assigned liaison personnel to the headquarters since 2002, with one officer currently serving at the Florida base.

Under one proposal, the additional personnel would be assigned to a department responsible for planning operations with allies and like-minded partners.

U.S. President Donald Trump has informally called on Japan and other nations to dispatch vessels to ensure safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Japanese government aims to ensure smooth coordination with the United States by the potential addition of personnel.