The US ally Japan wants to help stabilize the tense situation in the Middle East. To this end, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is leaving tomorrow for a five-day visit to the region, as government spokesman Yoshihide Suga announced today.
Tokyo, according to information from the Japanese media, had in the meantime considered canceling the visit after Iran fired at US-used bases in Iraq. However, since US President Donald Trump subsequently refrained from further military actions against Iran and the situation eased somewhat, the decision was made to hold on to the visit. Abe plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Marine mission for „information purposes“
Japan, the world’s third largest economy, sources most of its oil from the Middle East. The United States is Japan’s most important security partner. At the same time, Tokyo has had good relations with Iran for a long time and is likely to send its own destroyer to the region for „information purposes“ in February.
In 2019, tankers were repeatedly attacked in the region. Japan’s navy will avoid the Strait of Hormuz, however, where ships are now escorted by a U.S.-led protection coalition.
