President Macron called Iran's President Pezeshkian, and Asahi Kōshi: Japan has no current plan to dispatch the navy to the Middle East for escort
French President Macron stated that he has had a call with Iran's President Pezeshkian.
In the call, Macron said that attacks against regional countries including Lebanon and Iraq are unacceptable and called for an immediate halt.
Additionally, he emphasized that the navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz should be restored as soon as possible.
US and Israel began to strike targets inside Iran, including Tehran on February 28. Media continuously reported on the damage and civilian casualties caused, while Iran is retaliating by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.
Japanese Prime Minister Asahi Kōshi stated on March 16, "Japan currently has no plan to dispatch the navy to the Middle East for escort."
She pointed out that the government is "studying how Japan can protect Japanese ships in the Middle East, but has not made a decision yet."
Amid the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran, Trump pressured Japan and other countries on March 14 to send ships to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump may mention this at the Japan-US summit on March 19 in Washington.
On March 15, Kobayashi Takeru, head of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, was asked about whether Japan would dispatch escort ships to the Middle East. He emphasized that it should be dealt with cautiously. Okamoto Masaaki, head of the Policy Research Council of the Nihon Ishin no Kai, also believed that even if Trump requested the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces during the Japan-US summit, Prime Minister Asahi Kōshi should not easily agree.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859782972882944/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.