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Story summary
- On March 16, 2025, Japan announced it will not send naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East.
- The decision followed a call from U.S. President Donald Trump for allies to protect tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan will assess options within constitutional limits and discuss them with Trump.
- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted anti-piracy missions, but deployment remains politically challenging.
