Japan Isn’t Sending Minesweepers to Middle East, Takaichi Says

Japan’s pacifist constitution wouldn’t bar the country from helping with mine clearance around the Strait of Hormuz at the conclusion of the war between the US, Israel and Iran, but Tokyo has no plans to deploy minesweepers to the region, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said.

Responding to questions in parliament on Thursday, Takaichi said that while details about the possible laying of sea mines by Iran around the Strait of Hormuz are unclear, in theory Japan wouldn’t be able to get involved in mine clearance as long as the conflict continues.