Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to deploy the Self-Defence Forces to the Middle East to ensure the safety of its ships.

 “We plan to dispatch Self-Defence Forces to this region to strengthen information gathering and secure the safe passage of Japan-related ships,” Abe said, reiterating a plan unveiled last month ahead of the latest flare-up in tensions.

The Japanese government announced late last month it will send a warship and patrol planes to the Middle East, from which it sources nearly 90% of its crude oil imports.