Japan PM Takaichi Says Request to Protect Ships in Strait of Hormuz ‘Not Received,’ Ahead of Meeting with Trump

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:19 JST, March 16, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday stated that Japan is conducting a comprehensive review following U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand that countries including Japan help protect ships around the Strait of Hormuz.

At that day’s House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Takaichi revealed that Japan has not received a direct request from the United States. She said, “We are currently conducting a comprehensive review, including legal considerations, on how to protect Japanese-related vessels and the lives of their crews.”

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized that the dispatch of Self-Defense Force members to conduct escort duties in the region “is not under consideration at this moment.” On whether a maritime security operation stipulated in the Self-Defense Forces Law could be conducted, Koizumi said “generally speaking, based on the law, it is possible to issue an order.”

Even though the SDF can conduct operations to protect lives and property in order to help Japan-related vessels, it is not allowed to escort foreign vessels.

Takaichi is set to meet with Trump on Thursday in Washington. If the United States requests the dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels, the SDF could escort civilian vessels as part of the right to collective self-defense providing the situation is designated “survival threatening” under the security-related laws. However, the legal hurdles are high.

The government has clearly stated in past Diet sessions that it will not support countries that have used force in violation of international law. Legal assessments of the recent U.S. military attack on Iran are divided, even among experts. Takaichi has limited her comments on the matter to: “We have not made a definitive legal assessment.”

Meanwhile, Koizumi held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for about 30 minutes on Sunday evening. The two reaffirmed that they would maintain close communication. Koizumi said that “maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East is of the utmost importance to the international community, including Japan.” Hegseth, for his part, explained the latest developments and outlook.