Japan - Feb 17

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to allow minesweeping operations by Self-Defense Forces in the Strait of Hormuz. Abe explained that if mines in the Strait of Hormuz would constitute a serious damage to the world economy, and in turn bring about an energy crisis in Japan. The Abe administration wants to work on revising the SDF law. However, Komeito, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's junior coalition partner, opposes Abe's view, saying that the pacifist-leaning party should aim to minimize the use of force overseas. Source: The Asahi Shimbun