On March 22, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that his country may consider deploying Self-Defense Forces to participate in mine clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, provided for a ceasefire in the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel.
Japan's naval mine clearance technology is among the top in the world," Mr. Motegi said in a television program. "Assuming the parties reach a ceasefire and in case naval mines become an obstacle, we may have to consider this issue," he mentioned the possibility of deploying the Self-Defense Forces.
Japan's deployment of minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz after a ceasefire in the Middle East is attracting international public attention, not only because of its maritime security significance, but also because of the strict legal constraints on the operations of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's recent statement shows that Tokyo is considering a specific role in the post-conflict scenario, especially if naval mines become a threat to the vital energy transport route passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a maritime route transporting about 20% of the global oil supply, which is of particular significance to Japan - a country heavily dependent on energy imports from the Middle East.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is equipped with specialized ships, modern mine detection and neutralization technology, and has participated in similar operations in the Gulf War when Tokyo sent ships to the Persian Gulf area after the conflict ended.
However, unlike conventional military powers, Japan's deployment of forces abroad is bound by the pacifist Constitution, especially Article 9 - which stipulates the renunciation of war as a national sovereignty.
This makes SDF missions abroad only allowed within the framework of "defense" or non-combat activities such as peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, logistics or mine clearance after conflict.
Analysts believe that Tokyo's mention of the possibility of deployment only after reaching a ceasefire is a legally decisive detail. According to the Japanese government's interpretation, mine clearance activities in a no-fighting environment can be considered a contribution to international security and ensuring freedom of navigation, instead of participating in armed conflict.
In recent years, Japan has gradually relaxed the interpretation of Article 9, allowing the exercise of the right to "limited collective self-defense", i.e., support allies in certain situations.
If deployed, Japan's mine clearance mission is likely to be technical, limiting the scope and avoiding direct military operations.
However, this move is still seen as an important test for Tokyo's increasingly expanded security role in the context of volatile regional and global order.
