Japan highlights the legal and political obstacles in sending military ships to the Middle East, in the context of tensions in the region.

A high-ranking Japanese official, Takayuki Kobayashi, stated that any decision to send Japanese military ships to the Middle East would face "great obstacles," following President Donald Trump's requests to keep the Strait of Hormuz "open and safe."

Although not legally excluded, the situation must be analyzed with great care, considering the ongoing conflict. Kobayashi's statements come ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to Washington, where bilateral alliance and trade will be discussed.

Japan relies on oil from the Middle East but has a pacifist constitution that limits military involvement. Takaichi recently announced the release of 80 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in the context of an energy crisis. She also stated that Japan will not send minesweeping ships to the strait until the conflict is resolved. Kobayashi emphasized the importance of understanding Washington's true intentions, given the changing nature of Trump's messages.