It is reported that a call is being arranged between Japan foreign minister Motegi and US secretary of state Rubio for later today, according to sources familiar with bilateral relations. Among what will be discussed is likely the topic of the Strait of Hormuz, after US president Trump has called for ally countries to dispatch warships to the region to act as escorts. I mentioned earlier here why that won’t go down too well.

As a reminder, Japan is arguably one of, if not, the most impacted third-party by the US-Iran conflict. And it is in part complicating things domestically, not least with a struggling currency. From earlier: Tokyo intervention looms large as USD/JPY nears 160 mark

Besides that particular topic, it is reported that Motegi also wants to gauge US intentions ahead of the expected meeting between Trump and Takaichi in Washington later this week.