The President of the United States, Donald Trump, asked Japan this Thursday to “take a step forward” in support of international operations linked to the conflict with Iran, during a meeting at the White House with the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
.At the meeting, held in the Oval Office, Trump pressured his allies to help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade affected by escalating tensions. The president requested greater involvement, including the deployment of ships to clear mines and escort oil tankers, although he insisted that the United States maintains
the capacity to act alone.“We hope that Japan will take a step forward,” Trump said, stressing the strength of the bilateral relationship. The president also defended his government's strategy against Iran, stressing the importance of acting with determination and, at times, with discretion to achieve military and geopolitical objectives
.
In this context, Trump justified the reserved nature of the U.S. military operation by pointing out the need for the surprise factor, referring to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in
1941.For his part, Takaichi noted that Japan will carefully evaluate what kind of support it can offer, due to the limitations of its pacifist Constitution. He indicated that he had informed Trump about his country's legal capabilities and restrictions regarding possible participation in operations in the Strait of Hormuz, without providing additional details
