Japanese Prime Minister Takashi Sanae announces that all Japanese vessels have safely evacuated the Persian Gulf
Japanese Prime Minister Takashi Sanae posted on X on August 30, 2026, stating: Due to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, all Japanese crew members aboard Japanese-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf had been safely evacuated by June 19, and all Japanese-flagged vessels had safely departed the Persian Gulf by July 9.
Prime Minister Sanae said: “Recently, a friend asked me, ‘How are the Japanese crew members stranded in the Persian Gulf doing? It’s been so long—this situation is truly worrying.’”
She added: “Previously, out of consideration for the personal privacy of the crew members, I had not personally reported on their status in a timely manner to the public. However, after hearing my friend’s concern, I realized that some people have not been consistently following news updates. Therefore, I would like to clarify the current situation here.”
When the Strait of Hormuz was effectively blocked, there were 45 vessels associated with Japan (including 5 Japanese-flagged vessels) and 24 Japanese crew members stranded in the Persian Gulf.
After continuous diplomatic efforts by myself, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and other government officials through sustained negotiations with Iranian and relevant country counterparts, all Japanese crew members had safely left the Persian Gulf by June 19; all Japanese-flagged vessels had also safely departed by July 9.
Due to various reasons such as vessel malfunctions, three vessels associated with Japan (but registered under other nationalities) remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. However, it has been confirmed that the physical safety and health conditions of the foreign crew members on these vessels are not compromised.
To ensure that all vessels from every nation can freely and safely navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, the Japanese government will continue to exert its maximum diplomatic efforts going forward.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced on June 19 via its official website: “On June 19, a Japanese-associated vessel previously stranded in the Persian Gulf successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf. The vessel carried three Japanese crew members, who are now en route to Japan.”
With this, all Japanese-associated vessels carrying Japanese crew members have now evacuated beyond the Persian Gulf. During this passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Japanese government maintained continuous coordination with Iranian authorities.
Given the recent memorandum signed between the United States and Iran, the Japanese government will continue pursuing all possible diplomatic initiatives, aiming for the swift restoration of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring that the remaining 37 Japanese-associated vessels can also pass through the strait as soon as possible.”
Following attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed. The strait handles 94% of Japan’s crude oil imports and 6% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Globally, Japan is the only country so heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, placing it in an unprecedented energy crisis and a crisis involving petroleum-derived products. On April 28, the large oil tanker "Idemitsu Maru," carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, passed through the Strait of Hormuz after obtaining permission from Iranian authorities. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated: “The Japanese government did not pay any transit fees to Iran.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875035895162892/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author