The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 11th that the United States may press Japan for support on actions against Iran during the U.S.-Japan summit in Washington on the 19th (local time).
The paper said that if President Donald Trump presses Tokyo for a clearer show of support over a potential Iran conflict, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi could face a politically fraught decision.
To date, Prime Minister Takaichi has refrained from publicly assessing U.S. military action against Iran and has emphasized a diplomatic role for Japan.
The Yomiuri predicts President Trump may seek a more explicit commitment from Japan at the summit.
Possible requests could include asking the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to escort commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz or to conduct mine‑clearing operations.
Earlier, the Asahi Shimbun reported that Japanese officials have considered deploying SDF patrol aircraft or aerial-refueling tankers as potential options.
A key legal and political issue will be whether Tokyo would rely on the right of collective self-defense as the basis for SDF support of U.S. military operations related to Iran.
Collective self-defense is the right to join allies in responding when an allied or closely connected country is attacked, even if Japan itself is not directly under attack.
Officials are also considering classifying a situation that falls short of an existential threat as an \"important impact\" scenario, which could permit rear-area support such as refueling U.S. naval vessels.
A Japanese government official told the Yomiuri, \"We want to align our basic support with the U.S. to preserve the alliance's deterrence, but we want to avoid becoming deeply involved in the Iran issue.\"
Audio: AI dubbing
Reporter/Producer: Lee Jun-heum
#Iran #Israel #U.S. #Trump #Takaichi #JapanSelfDefenseForces #DispatchTalk #USJapanSummit
Yonhap News TV tips and inquiries: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23
Lee Jun-heum (humi@yna.co.kr)
