In a shocking turn of events, Japan has confirmed the seizure of a cargo ship operated by the major Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen in the Red Sea by the Iran-linked Houthi armed group. The vessel in question, the Bahamas-registered car carrier ship Galaxy Leader, had 25 crew members onboard, representing Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno expressed Japan’s strong condemnation of the incident during a news conference on Monday.
The Houthi armed group, known for its rebel activities in Yemen and alleged ties to Iran, provided a statement to Al-Jazeera, claiming that the seizure was a response to “heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank.” The group warned other nations to avoid the area, threatening to target any ships with connections to Israel.
Contrary to the Houthi group’s claims, the Israeli prime minister’s office clarified that the seized vessel was not Israeli, and none of its crew members were of Israeli nationality. Nevertheless, the Israel Defense Forces characterized the hijacking as a “very grave incident of global consequence,” heightening concerns about the potential impact on global logistics.
The Japanese government is actively gathering information through various channels, including the Foreign Ministry and the transport ministry, and is working towards securing the release of the detained crew members in collaboration with relevant countries. Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno revealed that Japan is engaged in direct communication with both Israel and the Houthi armed group. The nation is also reaching out to associated parties in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Iran.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are keeping an eye on the situation in the Middle East with a sense of urgency.” Japan’s diplomatic efforts are focused on resolving the crisis peacefully and ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew members caught in the midst of this international incident.
The capture of an international cargo ship by the Houthi armed group raises significant concerns about the potential disruption to global trade and logistics. The situation is evolving rapidly, and the international community is closely monitoring developments in the hope of a swift resolution to this crisis in the Red Sea.
(Source: Kyodo News | Associated Press | Al Jazeera)
