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The Japanese government confirmed on Friday that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make a five-day trip to the Middle East from Saturday, while also giving orders to dispatch Maritime Self-Defense Forces (MSDF) personnel and hardware to the region to conduct "information-gathering" operations.
During his visit, Abe will hold talks with leaders in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference, with confirmation of Abe's trip coming amid abating concerns over an imminent escalation of tensions in the region.
"(Prime Minister) Abe will exchange views with the leaders of the three countries, which play important roles in easing tensions and stabilizing the situation in the region. He plans to seek cooperation on ensuring stable energy supplies and safe navigation," Suga, Japan's top government spokesperson, said.
The confirmation of Abe's trip came following U.S. President Donald Trump's measured response to Iran launching a missile strike on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops.
Iran's missile strike on Wednesday was a reprisal for the U.S. killing Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike last week.
Abe, during his trip, will seek to explain and garner support for the dispatch announced Friday of two P-3C patrol planes and a helicopter-carrying destroyer to the Middle East, along with around 260 MSDF personnel, to engage in a one-year survey and research mission.
Despite simmering tensions in the Middle East, Japan will go ahead with its information-gathering and security operations, although they will not be conducted as part of a U.S.-led coalition to conduct maritime security operations in the region.
Tokyo has said it will not join the U.S.-led coalition and will keep its forces away from the Strait of Hormuz near Iran in a bid to maintain positive ties with Tehran.
Japan is the world's fourth-largest oil importer and relies heavily on the Middle East for the majority of its crude oil imports.
