Japan has said it could consider deploying its military for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, but only if a complete ceasefire is reached in the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stressed that the idea remains purely hypothetical at this stage.

Speaking on Fuji TV on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Motegi explained that Japan has no immediate plans to intervene but acknowledged that naval mines could pose a serious obstacle to global shipping if hostilities end. “If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up,” he said, adding that Japan would only act if conditions were stable enough to justify such a mission.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with about 20% of global oil trade passing through it daily. Since Iran’s blockade earlier this month, tankers have been stranded, and energy prices have surged worldwide. Japan, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports, has been monitoring the situation closely but has avoided direct involvement in the conflict.

Motegi clarified that Tokyo has not sought arrangements to allow passage for stranded Japanese vessels, signaling that Japan’s priority remains diplomatic engagement rather than military action. Analysts note that Japan’s cautious stance reflects its longstanding policy of non-military involvement in overseas conflicts, while still recognizing the strategic importance of keeping Hormuz open.

The possibility of minesweeping highlights Japan’s role as a major energy importer and its interest in ensuring maritime security. However, the government insists that any deployment would depend entirely on a ceasefire and international consensus. For now, Japan continues to call for restraint and a diplomatic resolution to the escalating war.

This statement underscores Tokyo’s balancing act: protecting its energy security while avoiding entanglement in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Whether Japan ultimately takes part in minesweeping will depend on how quickly the warring parties move toward a ceasefire and whether global shipping lanes remain threatened.