37 Japan-related ships remain stranded in Persian Gulf, down from 45

The number of Japan-related vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf has fallen to 37 from 45 at the start of the Iran war, with seven ships having transited the Strait of Hormuz and one transferred to a non-Japanese operator, according to the Japanese Shipowners’ Association.

Once safe passage has been confirmed, including the absence of mines, individual shipping companies will decide when to resume transit through the Strait, a spokesperson for the association said on Monday.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on social media on Friday that a vessel carrying three Japanese crew members had exited the gulf and was headed to Japan. The vessel was not identified.

With its departure, all 24 Japanese crew members who were in the gulf when the war erupted have now left the region.