Tokyo \u2014 A senior official from Japan\u2019s ruling party on Sunday called\nfor a \u201ccautious\u201d decision regarding the deployment of Self-Defence\nForces to the conflict-stricken Middle East to escort vessels and ensure\nsafe passage.<\/p>\n
Takayuki Kobayashi, policy chief of the Liberal Democratic Party,\nstated in a television programme that he \u201cwould not rule out the\npossibility of escort operations from a legal perspective,\u201d but that\nsuch deployment would be \u201ca very significant hurdle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the Self-Defence Forces Law, the government can order SDF\npersonnel to escort ships related to Japan for protection as maritime\nsecurity operations, which permit the use of weapons.<\/p>\n
SDF activities abroad have been restricted under Japan\u2019s\nconstitution, which renounces war. The government has expanded the SDF\u2019s\noverseas role through security legislation that came into force in 2016,\nbut the dispatch of troops to areas where they could engage in combat\nremains controversial.<\/p>\n
Mitsunari Okamoto, policy chief of the reform-minded centrist\nalliance, stated on television that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should\nnot make hasty commitments, even though US President Donald Trump has\nrequested Japanese SDF activities in the Middle East at a meeting\nscheduled for Thursday in the United States.<\/p>\n
Trump stated on Saturday on social media that he wants Japan, among\nother nations, to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure\nsecurity of that vital energy shipping route, which Iran has effectively\nclosed in retaliation for attacks by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n
During an interview with NBC News, Trump was quoted as saying it was\nunclear whether Iran had laid mines in the strait, but noted: \u201cWe will\nsweep the Strait of Hormuz very powerfully, and we believe we will join\nwith other nations that are somewhat hampered in getting oil.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SDF can be deployed abroad to assist the US and other allied\nnations if they are attacked by armed forces and the situation is deemed\nto threaten Japan\u2019s survival, even if Japan itself is not attacked. This\nis known as the exercise of the right of collective self-defence.<\/p>\n
In situations deemed to have significant impact on Japan\u2019s peace and\nsecurity, the SDF can engage in logistical support for military\nactivities by the US and other nations.<\/p>\n
So far, the government has determined that conditions have not been\nmet in the current situation to permit SDF deployment under either of\nthese two scenarios.<\/p>\n
During parliamentary discussions on Japan\u2019s security legislation in\n2015, then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned SDF deployment for\nmine-sweeping operations if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed,\nstating that such a blockade could negatively impact the public.<\/p>\n
Japan depends on the Middle East for over 90 per cent of its crude\noil and 11 per cent of its liquefied natural gas.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japans-ruling-party-urges-caution-over-middle-east-military-mission-1773575509", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }