Does a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz constitute an "existential crisis" for Japan?

It is reported that Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is also a critical energy import route for Japan. The Japanese government has previously considered the possibility of “mine-laying to block the strait” as an example of a situation where collective self-defense rights could be exercised, under the concept of a “crisis situation threatening survival.” However, this time, they will carefully assess the situation.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Toshiro stated at a press conference on March 2, “At this stage, it has not been recognized as a significant impact situation or a survival crisis situation based on security-related laws.”

A survival crisis situation is a concept defined in security-related laws enacted during Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration in 2015.

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