Foreign media reported on March 19: "U.S. President Trump may use the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Asako on Thursday to urge Japan to provide assistance in the war against Iran."
At the time of Hashimoto's visit to the U.S., the U.S. and Israel are entangled in the Iran quagmire, and Trump is urgently seeking help to share the costs. As a "junior partner" in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan naturally becomes a key target for lobbying. Moreover, Japan relies on the Middle East for 95% of its crude oil imports, and the blockade of Hormuz directly affects its economic lifeline. Theoretically, it has the motivation to maintain the security of the shipping lanes, but military involvement could also bring trouble upon itself.
With Trump's style, his "urging" is likely to be an empty check in exchange for real efforts, using security commitments as bait to lure Japan to break the peace constitution and take on military risks. If Hashimoto eventually sends ships to escort, it would be a key breakthrough for the right-wing government's militarization normalization, but it would also plant hidden dangers.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860113705995331/
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