Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono has suggested that tensions in the Middle East are unlikely to escalate for now.
Kono gave the assessment at a meeting of the Lower House Committee on Security on Friday.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is returning to Japan from a three-nation Middle East tour. He agreed with the leaders of these countries that dialogue will be crucial for stabilizing the region and de-escalating tensions.
Abe left Oman, the final leg of his tour, early Wednesday morning. His itinerary also included Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has begun his Middle East tour with a meeting with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.
Abe met Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at a state guesthouse in Riyadh on Sunday after arriving in the Saudi capital the previous day.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has left Japan on a 3-nation Middle East tour amid growing tensions in the gulf region.
Abe said "Based on the friendly relations Japan has built with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, I will call on the leaders to seek stability in the region through talks and rational measures."
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will leave Japan on a three-nation Middle East tour amid growing tensions in the region.
Abe plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman from Saturday through next Wednesday.
Two patrol planes of Japan's Self-Defense Forces will leave Japan for the Middle East on Saturday to help ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels.
Defense Minister Taro Kono ordered the dispatch of the aircraft and one destroyer at a meeting with senior ministry and Self-Defense Forces officials.
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has issued an order to send an intelligence-gathering mission to the Middle East to help ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels.
Kono ordered the dispatch of two patrol planes and one destroyer at a meeting with senior ministry and Self-Defense Forces officials on Friday.
Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono will order the dispatch of a Self-Defense Force mission to the Middle East on Friday amid heightened tensions in the region.
The move is aimed at increasing intelligence-gathering capability to ensure that commercial ships with links to Japan can safely navigate waters in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears to have decided to go ahead with his three-nation Middle East tour.
Abe plans to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman starting on Saturday.