Enact special law to send Japan’s warships to secure Hormuz, ex-adviser tells Takaichi

Japan should consider sending warships to help jointly secure the Strait of Hormuz with other nations and protect both its own vessels and those of other nations – even before a ceasefire, according to a former top national security adviser.A special measures law would be needed to enable such a move, going beyond what Japan has done in past geopolitical conflicts, said Akihisa Nagashima, who served as a national security adviser to the predecessor of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.The former deputy defence minister added that this would be possible without changing Japan’s pacifist constitution, which renounces war and significantly restricts its security activities abroad.“Taking the lead in protecting not only Japan, but also other nations will serve Japan’s national interest,” Nagashima said in an interview on Wednesday. “If necessary, we should enact a special measures law to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz through the dispatch of the Self-Defence Forces.”Japan remains under pressure from US President Donald Trump to “step up to the plate” in securing the critical waterway, even though Takaichi avoided a direct confrontation during their summit in Washington on March 19. The same day, Japan issued a joint statement with the UK, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands pledging to work together to ensure safe passage and stabilise global energy markets.01:34Trump tells Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz by late Monday GMT or face major assault