Takaichi Reaffirms Japan's Diplomatic Efforts to Ease Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reaffirmed that Japan will undertake all possible diplomatic efforts, working alongside the international community, to calm tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. This measure comes amid rising threats in the conflict between the United States-Israel and Iran, which is heating up. Takaichi’s statement responds to turmoil in financial markets, including in Japan, following US President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Iran at the end of last weekend. Trump demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for crude oil imports from the Middle East to Japan, or Iran would face attacks on its energy infrastructure. ‘We continue to work with the international community and will deploy every possible diplomatic effort,’ Takaichi said, as quoted from New Straits Times. Takaichi has just returned to Japan after attending a summit meeting with Trump in Washington. Tensions escalated after Trump posted a statement on social media that the United States would ‘destroy and eliminate’ Iran’s power plants if the country does not fully reopen the strait before the deadline expires. In response to the threat, an Iranian military spokesperson stated in a video that they would completely close the strait if a US attack truly occurs. Iran has also threatened to target power plants and other energy infrastructure in Israel, as well as related US facilities in West Asia. Iran has blocked most of that strategic waterway since coming under US-Israel airstrikes on 28 February, which triggered chaos in the global energy market. The situation is crucial for Tokyo, given that Japan depends on the Middle East for more than 90% of its crude oil imports, most of which pass through that narrow point at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.