National Dec 11, 2020
Japan OKs one-year extension of MSDF intelligence mission in Middle East
The government says continued efforts are needed to ensure the safety of Japan-related commercial shipping passing through regional waters.
National / Politics Dec 28, 2019
Japan's naval dispatch to Middle East a 'product of compromise' between Iran and U.S., experts say
by Keita Nakamura
Experts term the decision to send Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel to the Middle East for independent information-gathering a ‘product of compromise.’
National Dec 4, 2019
Iran sounds out Japan about possible Hassan Rouhani visit: source
Iran relayed to Japan on Tuesday its wish for President Hassan Rouhani to visit the country, a source close to bilateral relations has said. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, serving as a special envoy of the president, relayed the message to ...
World Nov 20, 2019
U.S. aircraft carrier strike group sails through Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. aircraft carrier strike group Abraham Lincoln sailed through the vital Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, U.S. officials told Reuters, amid simmering tensions between Iran and the United States. Tensions in the Gulf have risen since attacks on oil tankers this summer, including off ...
National / Politics | FOCUS Oct 29, 2019
With hazy plan for SDF dispatch to Mideast, is Japan pursuing contradictory goals?
by Reiji Yoshida
It was an unusual meeting starting at around 7:30 a.m. at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo on Oct. 23, hastily organized so government officials could get lawmakers up to speed. In the week before, the government had abruptly announced plans to dispatch ...
National Oct 18, 2019
Japan's SDF to head for Mideast waters, but Tokyo steers clear of U.S.-led coalition
by Reiji Yoshida and Sakura Murakami
Self-Defense Forces ships and planes will patrol the Gulf of Oman and other areas but avoid the U.S.-led coalition protecting shipping interests in the strategic waters.
National / Politics Oct 1, 2019
Defense Minister Taro Kono conveys concerns to Iranian counterpart over rising tensions
Defense Minister Taro Kono spoke by phone Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart, Amir Hatami, conveying to him Japan's concerns over rising tensions in the Middle East. "80 percent of Japan's crude oil imports come through the Strait of Hormuz. The stability of the region is ...
National / Politics Sep 25, 2019
Abe expresses 'strong concern' over Middle East tensions and urges constructive role for Iran
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that Japan expects Iran to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East, in the wake of attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities. Abe also urged Iran to fulfill its responsibility as a ...
World Aug 14, 2019
Iran says Britain might release oil tanker soon but Gibraltar begs to differ
The British territory of Gibraltar will not yet release an Iranian oil tanker seized by Royal Marines in the Mediterranean despite an Iranian report that it could do so on Tuesday, an official Gibraltar source said. The commandeering of the Grace 1 on July 4 ...
World Aug 13, 2019
British warship sets sail for U.S.-led tanker escort mission in Gulf
British warship HMS Kent set sail for the Gulf on Monday to join a U.S.-led mission protecting commercial shipping vessels in the region amid heightened political tension between the West and Iran. Britain has joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the ...
World / Politics Aug 12, 2019
U.S. adviser John Bolton to urge tougher U.K. stance on Iran and China's Huawei
John Bolton, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, arrived in London on Sunday for talks at which he is expected to urge Britain to toughen its stance on Iran and Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei. As the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union ...
National Aug 9, 2019
Suga hints Japan may send MSDF ships to join U.S.-led coalition off Iran after all
Oil-reliant Tokyo is looking to compromise because it doesn’t want to offend Tehran by formally joining Washington’s shipping coalition in the Strait of Hormuz.