Japan has approved a one-year extension of its navy mission in the Middle East to protect the country’s oil shipments.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will continue to operate in the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden until 26 December, 2021, the Japanese defence ministry said.

Kyoto News reported defence minister Nobuo Kishi said on Friday: “Shipping industry groups have expressed their further expectations and appreciation for the SDF [Self-Defense Force] activities."