S/ Takaichi Sanae, Japanese Prime Minister / Our country strongly urges Iran to cease actions that destabilize the region, including nuclear weapons development and attacks on neighboring countries, and seek a diplomatic resolution through negotiations.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made the remarks in parliament on March 2, as US President Donald Trump expressed his intention to continue military operations against Iran.

Takaichi is calling for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict given that Japan imports over 90 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East, with most of it passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which borders Iran.

She also said the government will spare no effort to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, including roughly 200 people currently in Iran.

S/ Takaichi Sanae, Japanese Prime Minister / We respect the wishes of those who do not want to evacuate by their own choice, but we are moving forward with efforts to minimize every conceivable risk.

A Japanese government official said the number of Japanese nationals wishing to leave Iran is in the dozens and is under 100, a figure well within the range Japan can handle.

Takaichi also noted that the safety of all crew members on Japanese vessels navigating near the Strait of Hormuz has been confirmed.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru said that preparations for evacuation are also underway in countries neighboring Iran, with the Japanese Embassy in Israel arranging buses to transport people.

In Japan, the National Police Agency has instructed police nationwide to tighten security following the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, as well as Iran’s retaliatory strikes.

The agency is calling for increased deployment and reinforced patrols as needed at locations including the embassies of the United States, Israel and Iran in Tokyo, as well as US military bases across Japan.

It has also told officers to prevent trouble in the event of protest activities and to thoroughly gather information on social media.

While protests have been observed in front of the US Embassy, there have not been any major disruptions so far.

The Middle East situation is also affecting the private sector.

Japanese shipping companies have suspended vessel navigation around the Strait of Hormuz as the Iranian navy has been announcing via radio that all vessels are prohibited from passing through it.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen and Kawasaki Kisen said they have instructed their vessels to remain on standby in safe waters and are continuing to gather information.

From other sectors, a major trading firm doing business in the Middle East and an energy-related company handling resources such as crude oil expressed concern over possible effects if the strait closure becomes prolonged.

Experts estimate that in the worst-case scenario, Japan’s real GDP would be pushed down by 0.65 percent over the course of a year, and prices would rise by 1.14 percent.