Japan could consider deploying its Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz, provided a ceasefire is established in the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated on Sunday that while such a move remains hypothetical, the removal of naval mines would be a critical prerequisite for restoring navigation through the waterway.

The Strait remains the primary conduit for approximately 20% of global oil shipments, and its prolonged closure has forced Tokyo and other major economies to tap into strategic petroleum reserves to mitigate surging energy costs.

The constitutional and strategic balancing act

Any military deployment would test the limits of Japan’s postwar pacifist constitution and the 2015 security legislation that governs overseas operations. Under current laws, the Self-Defense Forces can only be utilized abroad if an attack on a close security partner threatens Japan’s own survival and no alternative solutions exist.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reportedly briefed U.S. President Donald Trump on the legal constraints during a recent summit in Washington, as the White House continues to urge allies to “step up” naval contributions to secure the region’s maritime corridors.

Despite discussions with Iranian officials regarding potential safe passage for…