Trump Demands for Hormuz Patrols Puts Japan's Abe in Tight Spot
U.S. calls for Japan’s help protecting shipping from Iranian attacks have put Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a bind between angering his country’s military ally and upsetting voters suspicious of overseas deployments.
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo confirmed last week that the U.S. has asked Japan to join naval patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, a subject of much speculation in Tokyo since President Donald Trump accused the country in a tweet last month of being a security freeloader. Despite weeks of questions, Abe’s government has sought to avoid any commitments that could prompt fresh criticism that he’s undermining Japan’s pacifist constitution.
The Japanese public remains divided over any deployments. A survey published by TV Tokyo Monday showed 41% of respondents thought Japan should send military vessels, compared with 42% were against the idea.
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo confirmed last week that the U.S. has asked Japan to join naval patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, a subject of much speculation in Tokyo since President Donald Trump accused the country in a tweet last month of being a security freeloader. “Abe is frightened of public opinion on security issues and is frightened of angering Trump” said Garren Mulloy, professor of international relations at Daito Bunka University in Saitama, Japan.
The Trump administration is pressing Japan to participate after European nations that were parties to the nuclear deal -- and have opposed Trump’s decision to quit it -- resisted entreaties by the U.S. and formed their own maritime security effort.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-29/trump-demands-for-hormuz-patrols-puts-japan-s-abe-in-tight-spot?srnd=politics-vp
