In order to ensure the safety of ships in the Middle East, such as the Holmes Strait, the U.S. calls for participation in the `` Volunteer Alliance '' initiative / Marine Security Initiative. Has established a policy of dispatching independently. A government official revealed.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems to have instructed to start a concrete examination of his own dispatch at the four ministerial meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on the afternoon of the 18th. The prime minister has been exploring diplomatic efforts as a “mediator” in Iran, such as visiting Iran in June and having a meeting with Mr. Hamenai, the highest leader. In order to avoid a worsening relationship with Iran, participation in the US initiative is not expected.
The US initiative was advocated by the Trump administration in response to a case in which a tanker operated by a Japanese shipping company was attacked near the Holmes Strait in mid-June. The Japanese government, which was asked to participate by the US Secretary of State Pompeeo in July, was proceeding under consideration of its own dispatch outside the Persian Gulf, saying that "it can't be done" (government executives).