OREANDA-NEWS Japan considers it extremely important to ensure free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, Japanese Government Secretary General Minoru Kihara said, responding to a request from reporters to comment on the decision of the US administration to launch a blockade of ships.

“The United States has announced that it has begun measures to block ships entering Iranian ports, while noting that freedom of navigation for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to or leaving ports unrelated to Iran will not be violated,” the Secretary General stressed.

According to Kihara, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz is an important issue not only for Japan, but also for the entire international community.