Japan Institute for National Fundamentals
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Speaking out

Tomohisa Takei

【#1358】Stationing Japan’s Minesweepers in Persian Gulf

Tomohisa Takei ／ 2026.04.01 (Wed)


March 30, 2026

　
The future of Iran’s counterstrikes following a surprise attack by the United States and Israel remains uncertain. Although large-scale surface-to-surface missile launches have decreased, attacks by Shahed suicide drones on tankers and key facilities in neighboring countries continue. Experts have called Iran’s relentless counterstrikes a war of “magazine depth,” but the Shahed attacks also reveal that this conflict has become an industrial-base war in which Iran, like Ukraine fighting against Russia, is producing military equipment while continuing the war. The Shahed is simple in structure and inexpensive to manufacture. Even if a ceasefire is achieved eventually, the embers of conflict are unlikely to be extinguished.

Contributing to safe passage after ceasefire

While Iran has claimed to have laid mines in the Persian Gulf, no mine-laying operations have been sighted, with no ships hitting mines. However, simple influence mines and improvised explosive mines are easy to manufacture and lay. The low credibility of the Iranian claim does not mean the Persian Gulf is safe. Just as wartime mines are found in Japan 80 years after World War II, mines that were laid in the Persian Gulf during past wars may have been buried in sand without ever being cleared. Safety from mines increases as a result of cumulative minesweeping efforts.

Japan is deeply dependent on Persian Gulf oil resources. If a ceasefire is achieved, Japan will actively contribute to ensuring the security of the Persian Gulf. Minesweeping is the most effective way for Japan to contribute. Based on Japan’s experience of having starved its people due to naval mines during World War II, its Maritime Self-Defense Force has continuously inherited and honed minesweeping skills.

Since 2012, the MSDF has continued to participate in multilateral minesweeping exercises hosted by the U.S. Central Command in the Persian Gulf. Small minesweepers have limitations in speed and range, and take more than a month to sail from Japan. Even with reinforced‑plastic hulls, navigation in the Indian Ocean is demanding.

For this reason, the idea of stationing Japanese minesweepers in the Persian Gulf and replacing their crews by air has emerged frequently.

Advantage will outweigh cost

The MSDF has a lot to gain from the stationing of minesweepers in the Persian Gulf. In a harsh operating environment that is completely different from Japan’s, the MSDF will be able to gain experience with a wide variety of mines and the latest minesweeping technology. The Persian Gulf has a deep entrance but shallow waters inside. The salinity of the sea surface differs from that of the seabed due to high temperatures, causing irregular water currents. Minesweeping there requires a high level of skill and proficiency. MSDF minesweepers may not be able to begin operations upon arrival from Japan.

Politically, the minesweepers will provide a visible presence in the Persian Gulf and, above all, enable Japan to commit to regional peace and stability without delay.

If Japan continues to depend on the Persian Gulf for energy resources, the security of the Persian Gulf remains a key national interest. As long as Iran exists, armed conflicts may not disappear from the Persian Gulf. For Japan, the advantage of stationing minesweepers there in peacetime will surely outweigh the cost of removing one or two minesweepers from the domestic defense structure.

Tomohisa Takei is a member of the Planning Committee at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals. Formerly, he served as Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.