Japan’s Ruling Parties Seek Ship Safety in Hormuz Strait Following Truce; Opposition Urges Supplementary Budget

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:48 JST, April 9, 2026

Ruling parties are urging the government to make diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe navigation of vessels related to Japan following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.

While both ruling and opposition parties expressed relief over the truce, they also called for further government measures, with the opposition bloc demanding the compilation of a supplementary budget.

“We view the agreement positively and welcome [it,]” said Takayuki Kobayashi, chairperson of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, on Wednesday at the party headquarters. He expressed hope that the U.S.-Iran talks will result in ensuring the safety of navigation and de-escalating the situation.

“I want the government to thoroughly pursue diplomatic efforts so that [the vessels] can leave the gulf as soon as possible,” Kobayashi said, referring to Japanese ships stranded in the Persian Gulf by Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding the formulation of a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget to address soaring crude oil prices, Kobayashi indicated that any decision should hinge on whether the economic impact will be prolonged. He noted the need to carefully evaluate whether the ceasefire agreement is merely temporary or a step toward a permanent solution.

Fumitake Fujita, coleader of the Japan Innovation Party, said at a press conference that the party welcomes the agreement because safe navigation in the strait is top priority. He added that the JIP intends to support the government in its efforts to de-escalate the situation as the LDP and JIP forms the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have called for the compilation of a supplementary budget, citing lingering economic anxiety.

Motohisa Furukawa, acting leader of the Democratic Party for the People, expressed his view at a press conference on Wednesday, saying, “We are pleased about the agreement, but it is unclear whether the ceasefire will truly last.” Furukawa stressed the need for the government to take proactive steps, calling the compilation of a supplementary budget “essential.”

Masayo Tanabu, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said at a press conference that the government’s measures against soaring fuel prices in the already enacted fiscal 2026 budget are completely insufficient.

Komeito leader Toshiko Takeya asserted at a party meeting, “We should not stop with the enactment of the initial budget and should immediately compile a supplementary budget.”