Japan won't contribute ships to U.S. Middle East maritime force: Mainichi

[mfcorey1]

Tokyo (Reuters) - Japan will not send warships to join a U.S.-led maritime force to guard oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz fearing a military response from Iran, but it may send patrol aircraft, said the Mainichi newspaper, citing unidentified government sources.

But Japan may send warships independently to protect Japanese ships in the world's most important oil artery, the newspaper said on Friday.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and continue to collect information while working closely with the United States and other countries," said Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, when asked about the report.
As its key Asian ally and a major regional naval power, Washington is keen for Japan, which is the world’s fourth-biggest oil buyer, to play a major role in its proposed maritime force.

But Japan may send warships independently to protect Japanese ships in the world's most important oil artery, the newspaper said on Friday.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/japan-wont-contribute-ships-to-us-middle-east-maritime-force-mainichi/ar-AAFduLF?ocid=spartandhp

[MFM008]

1. Maybe if we tell them

There are whales out there......

[mercuryblues]

2. This is what happens when

you have a president who demeans NATO and the UN. On top of cozying up to dangerous dictators and insult our allies.

For a bigger comparison, Obama would have talked to our allies and come up with a plan they would all agree to before announcing it or taking action. For that matter so would Clinton. She also would not have pulled out of the treaty, nor provoked Iran with threats.