Speaking on a Fuji TV programme, Motegi said such a move would be contingent on a “complete ceasefire” and the presence of naval mines obstructing navigation. He described the scenario as hypothetical, adding that minesweeping could be considered if maritime protection conditions required it.

Japan’s ability to deploy forces overseas is restricted by its postwar pacifist constitution, though security legislation enacted in 2015 allows the use of the Self-Defense Forces if an attack on a close partner threatens Japan’s survival and no alternative measures are available.

Motegi said Tokyo has no immediate plans to negotiate specific arrangements for stranded Japanese vessels to transit the waterway, stressing instead the importance of restoring conditions that allow safe passage for all ships.

Japan relies on the Strait of Hormuz for roughly 90% of its oil imports, underscoring the strategic importance of the route. The strait has been largely closed by Iran during the ongoing conflict, now in its fourth week, contributing to a surge in global oil prices.

The disruption has prompted Japan and other countries to release oil from strategic reserves to stabilise supply.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday he had discussed with Motegi the possibility of allowing Japanese-linked vessels to pass through the strait, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Washington on Thursday and urged Japan to increase its role in efforts to reopen the waterway. Takaichi said she briefed Trump on the scope of support Japan could provide under its legal framework.

Speaking on a Fuji TV programme, Motegi said minesweeping could be an option if naval mines obstruct shipping lanes following a “complete ceasefire,” stressing that any such step would depend on conditions stabilising in the waterway, a conduit for roughly a fifth of global oil shipments.

Japan’s potential involvement would be constrained by its postwar pacifist constitution, which restricts military activity abroad. However, security legislation enacted in 2015 allows overseas deployment of the Self-Defense Forces if a crisis threatens Japan’s survival and no alternative measures are available.

Motegi said Tokyo had no immediate plans to pursue arrangements to secure passage specifically for Japanese vessels, but emphasised the importance of restoring safe navigation through the strait. Japan relies on the route for around 90% of its oil imports, leaving it highly exposed to disruptions.

The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, prompting Japan and other countries to release crude from strategic reserves.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japan’s Kyodo news agency he had discussed with Motegi the possibility of allowing Japan-linked vessels to transit the strait.U.S. President Donald Trump has urged allies, including Japan, to increase their role in securing the waterway, though Tokyo has so far signalled limits based on its legal framework.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she had briefed Trump on the scope of support Japan could provide under domestic law.

Separately, Motegi said one of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran had been released on Wednesday and would return to Japan. He said the release followed repeated diplomatic representations to Tehran, while confirming that a second Japanese citizen remains in custody.