March 23 (Asia Today) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan cannot deploy its Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz under current conditions, citing constitutional limits, even as the United States presses allies to contribute to maritime security.
During a summit in Washington last week with President Donald Trump, Takaichi said Japan's actions must remain within the bounds of its laws, referring to Article 9 of the Constitution, which restricts military activity.
"There are things Japan can and cannot do within the scope of the law," she told reporters after the meeting, emphasizing legal constraints on overseas deployment.
Takaichi agreed that ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is critical but indicated that dispatching forces to an active conflict zone would be difficult under current constitutional interpretations.
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