Japan’s government will not join a US-led coalition to protect commercial vessels in the Middle East, but is preparing to send its own independent force to ensure the safe shipment of oil to Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Friday the government has decided it will cooperate closely with Washington even if it won’t join the initiative the US says is aimed at protecting commercial tankers from alleged Iranian attacks.
“Peace and stability in the Middle East is extremely important for the international society, including Japan,” Suga said at a news conference.
“After we studied comprehensively what measures can be most effective, we have decided to pursue our own measures separately.”
Japan’s energy needs rely heavily on oil imports. It has kept friendly ties with Iran and is reluctant to join such a force.
Japan’s navy is one of the most formidable in Asia, boasting aircraft carriers, submarines, landing ships and is rated second only to China.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to ease tension between Washington and Tehran.
Read the article in The New Daily (with AAP).