Japan, America And Strait Of Hormuz Cooperation

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Vital Maritime Security

The Japanese government is reportedly considering the legal basis for deploying its Self-Defense Forces to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. With the U.S. potentially seeking cooperation from its allies on maritime security, Japan is being forced to carefully consider how far it can go while protecting its vital energy imports. (RELATED: Risks To Japan Following Attacks On Iran)

The U.S. President Donald Trump said March 3 that the U.S. would potentially escort tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Tokyo-based Asahi Shimbun newspaper reports that the Japanese government is internally weighing how to respond if the United States requests assistance.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key point for the global transportation of crude oil, and much of Japan’s energy supply depends on this waterway.

While U.S. Central Command has publicly announced attacks on Iranian military facilities, the asymmetric capabilities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including missiles, drones, speedboats and mines, are still seen as a threat to the safety of navigation.

Cooperation of Allies

As the Trump administration considers a more extensive escort system to ensure the safety of commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This raises questions about the possible involvement of allies.

As an initial response, the Japanese government is reportedly considering relatively limited support, such as the provision of patrol aircraft and aerial refueling tankers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (RELATED: China Tries Both Ways: A Diplomatic Balancing Act)

A Japanese Foreign Ministry official told domestic media, “Japan cannot afford to free ride on the United States.” This recognized that a certain level of contribution to the alliance is necessary.

Legal challenges

However, the biggest challenge is the legal basis. Japan’s Constitution and security-related laws seriously restrict the use of force overseas, and careful consideration is required regarding extent to which the Self-Defense Forces can support the U.S. military in the Middle East. The legal framework the government could consider includes (1) “maritime security operations” under the Self-Defense Forces Act, (2) “research and study” missions under the Ministry of Defense Establishment Act and (3) the application of the limited right of collective self-defense recognized in the 2015 security legislation.

Then and Now

During the Middle East tensions of 2019, Japan dispatched a Maritime Self-Defense Force unit, but its mission was limited to “information gathering,” and it was not deployed to the Strait of Hormuz itself. The Shinzo Abe administration at the time, concerned about domestic political backlash, limited its operations to areas such as the Gulf of Oman. (RELATED: China’s New ‘Trojan Horse’ In London: A Warning Shot For The West)

The current crisis may prompt the United States to seek more direct cooperation in maritime security, and discussions on how to respond have reportedly taken place within the Japanese government. It has also been suggested that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may push for more security cooperation during her upcoming summit with Trump.

The Japanese government is now faced with a difficult balancing act between its alliance with the United States, its energy security and domestic political constraints.