TOKYO: Japan has decided to dispatch its own self-defense troops to the Strait of Hormuz area instead of joining the US-coalition to protect merchant vessels passing through key Middle Eastern waterways, the Asahi newspaper reported.
The decision is in line with a previous Japanese media report that Japan would not join its most important ally in the security mission due to its close economic ties with Iran, a major oil producer.
Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of a British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels that the US and Britain have blamed on Iran. Tehran denies involvement.
Japan to dispatch its own self-defense troops to Strait of Hormuz: report
Japan to dispatch its own self-defense troops to Strait of Hormuz: report
![Japan to dispatch its own self-defense troops to Strait of Hormuz: report Japan to dispatch its own self-defense troops to Strait of Hormuz: report](https://www.arabnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/n_670_395/public/main-image/2019/10/18/1803791-751065044.jpg?itok=Yhf0OnG0)
- Japan would not join its most important ally in the security mission due to its close economic ties with Iran