Japan PM urges Iran to ensure Strait of Hormuz safety
PM Sanae Takaichi welcomed a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. during a call with President Masoud Pezeshkian. She called for safety in the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan has called on the leadership of Iran to prioritize regional stability and ensure the unhindered passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. During a 25-minute telephone conversation on Wednesday, Takaichi urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to maintain the momentum of a recently brokered ceasefire. The diplomatic outreach follows a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Tehran, which includes provisions for the Islamic Republic to suspend its blockade of the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy markets, facilitating approximately 20% of the world's oil supply. > I also conveyed Japans expectation that a final agreement will be reached at an early stage through diplomacy. For Tokyo, the security of these shipping lanes is a matter of national economic survival. The nation currently depends on the Middle East for 90% of its petroleum requirements. Recent regional conflicts involving Israel and the subsequent tensions with Tehran have forced the Japanese government to utilize its strategic energy reserves to mitigate the impact on domestic prices. Global benchmarks, including Brent Crude Oil and West Texas Oil, have remained sensitive to the geopolitical developments in the Persian Gulf. Beyond energy security, Takaichi addressed the status of a Japanese national previously detained in Tehran. Reports indicate that Shinnosuke Kawashima, the Tehran bureau chief for public broadcaster NHK, was held by authorities in January before being released on bail. The Prime Minister requested a full and final resolution to the legal matter during her discussion with Pezeshkian.
