US East Asian allies in legal quandary as Trump seeks help in the Middle East

South Korea and Japan face uncomfortable questions about their mutual defense obligations as the United States seeks support from its allies in its war on Iran, now nearly three weeks in and escalating.

“South Korea and Japan are facing uncomfortable questions about their mutual defensive obligations as the United States seeks support from its allies in the war on Iran, now nearly three weeks in and escalating by the day”

Al Jazeera

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump urged the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained de facto closed since Washington launched its war with ally Israel on Tehran on March 28.

Al Jazeera

The president backpedalled on Tuesday, saying on social media that NATO assistance was no longer needed or desired, and that Japan, Australia, or South Korea were not required, though observers say allies are not yet out of the hot seat.

Trump is expected to raise the issue of warships when he meets with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Jack Barton.

Observers say Japan's energy dependence makes a response likely, while Tokyo's pacifist constitution constrains deployment and legal options are limited.

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force is one of the largest and most advanced navies in the world, which makes it an attractive potential partner for any US plan.

Although Japan and the US share a mutual defence, Tokyo’s pacifist constitution restricts when it can deploy its Self-Defense Force, with legal scenarios including responses to attack or survival-threatening situations and actions in collective self-defence.

Takaichi told legislators that her government is considering what can legally be done to protect Japanese ships and interests, according to NHK World, although deployment remains hypothetical.

Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports, with about 70 percent passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and Tokyo began releasing oil from its strategic reserve on Monday to offset shortfalls.

Stephen Nagy, a professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo, told Al Jazeera it was not unexpected that the United States would seek help, but Japan must weigh what is expected.

Nagy described potential roles for Japan that could add value, such as anti-mining activities, refuelling missions, and maritime domain awareness, while cautioning that Japan should not be expected to deploy warships to confront Iranian proxies.

Japan's position shows how legal and strategic constraints shape any possible deployment despite a deep US alliance.

Tokyo's pacifist constitution restricts deployment of the Self-Defense Force, with scenarios including when it is attacked or facing a survival-threatening situation and when acting in collective self defence of allies.

Al Jazeera

Takaichi told legislators that her government is considering what can legally be done to protect Japanese ships and interests, according to NHK World, though deployment remains hypothetical.

Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports, with about 70 percent passing through Hormuz, according to Japanese media.

Tokyo began releasing oil from its strategic reserve on Monday to offset shortfalls.

Stephen Nagy, a professor at International Christian University, Tokyo, told Al Jazeera that while the US would likely seek help, Japan would need to weigh expectations against what it can legally do.

Nagy described potential roles in which Japan could contribute, including anti-mining activities, refuelling missions, and maritime domain awareness, while cautioning that Japan should not be expected to deploy warships to confront Iranian proxies.

Overall, many observers expect Japan to seek ways to add legal value to any US plan.

South Korea finds itself in a similar predicament as it is both a US treaty ally and a major Middle Eastern oil and gas exporter.

“South Korea and Japan are facing uncomfortable questions about their mutual defensive obligations as the United States seeks support from its allies in the war on Iran, now nearly three weeks in and escalating by the day”

Al Jazeera

Seoul last week enacted a price cap on domestic fuel prices for the first time since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, aiming to prevent rapid price increases.

Despite concerns, legislators urge caution about deploying naval or other assets to the Middle East.

In-Bum Chun, a retired South Korean lieutenant general, told Al Jazeera that it is not immediately clear whether Seoul’s Mutual Defense Treaty with the US applies to the Strait of Hormuz.

Seoul must weigh assisting the US against maintaining a credible deterrence against North Korea.

Media reports suggest the US is considering moving THAAD missiles from South Korea to the Middle East, a move that could unsettle voters.

Chun noted that North Korea remains a persistent threat and that a South Korean warship is already deployed to the Middle East, while about 70 percent of Korea’s oil imports pass through Hormuz, making freedom of navigation a core national interest.

Observers say these competing realities must be weighed before any final decision.