Japan secures safe passage for oil tanker through Strait of Hormuz

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that a Japanese-affiliated vessel had safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf, marking the second such transit facilitated with Iranian approval amid heightened regional tensions, The Chosun reports.

In a statement posted on X, Takaichi said, “A Japanese-affiliated vessel that had been stationed in the Persian Gulf safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the 14th and evacuated outside the Persian Gulf. It is currently sailing toward Japan. The vessel had four Japanese crew members on board.”

ペルシャ湾に滞留していた日本関係船舶1隻が、5月14日、ホルムズ海峡を無事通過し、ペルシャ湾外へ退避し、日本へ向けて航行しています。
当該船舶には、4名の日本人乗組員が乗船しています。…

— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) May 14, 2026

According to Japanese media reports, the vessel is believed to be an oil tanker operated by ENEOS, Japan’s largest oil refiner.

The latest transit follows the successful passage on April 29 of a tanker operated by Idemitsu Kosan through the strategic waterway with approval from the Iranian government. The two cases are widely seen as examples of direct diplomatic coordination by Tokyo to secure safe passage for Japanese-linked shipping.

Takaichi emphasized the significance of the latest operation, stating, “Following the passage of a Japanese-affiliated vessel on April 29, we view the realization of this passage as another positive development from the perspective of protecting Japanese nationals.”

She added, “As the government, I personally requested President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran regarding this vessel’s passage, and various adjustments were made through the local embassy, centered around Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.”

The prime minister also acknowledged the strain on seafarers and their families as the situation in the region drags on.

“Over two months have passed since the incident occurred. The crew members of Japanese-affiliated vessels in the Persian Gulf have endured significant hardships, and their families must be deeply worried,” she said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again to the crew members who are performing their duties under high tension and to the operating companies.”

Takaichi noted that 39 Japanese-affiliated vessels remain in the Persian Gulf, including one carrying three Japanese crew members.

“The government will continue to actively pursue all possible diplomatic efforts and adjustments so that all vessels, including Japanese-affiliated ones, can pass through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible,” she said.

By Vafa Guliyeva