Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed that a Japanese-affiliated vessel carrying three Japanese crew members transited the Strait of Hormuz on January 19th. This ship was the last remaining Japanese-related vessel with Japanese nationals onboard operating within the Persian Gulf. Its departure means all Japanese-affiliated ships with Japanese crew have now evacuated the area. The move comes amid heightened tensions in the region, though no specific threat was cited in the announcement. The evacuation was likely a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens. This completes the repositioning of Japanese maritime assets away from potential conflict zones. The Japanese government has been monitoring the situation in the Persian Gulf closely.