Majority of Japanese oppose sending warships to the Middle East: Polls

A majority of Japanese people oppose sending warships to the Middle East in response to the war in Iran, according to two polls conducted over the weekend amid continued US pressure on allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.



In a Yomiuri newspaper survey, 67 per cent voiced opposition to sending the nation’s Self-Defense Forces to the region, while an ANN poll showed 52 per cent against their deployment.



The polls also showed that approval ratings for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet remain elevated, at 71 per cent and 65.2 per cent respectively, with a comfortable majority positively evaluating the outcome of Ms Takaichi’s March 19 talks with US President Donald Trump.



Takaichi avoided a showdown with Trump over Japan’s support for securing the strait, but the President continued to pressure Japan to do its part.



Most of Tokyo’s oil imports depend on the waterway, which has been effectively blocked.



The Prime Minister said she explained to Mr Trump that while Japan is willing to contribute to the efforts, there are limits to what it can do due to legal constraints.



Still, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi indicated at the weekend that the sending of minesweepers after a ceasefire could be considered.