RoydadNaft –  In a significant maritime event, a Japanese-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Roydad Naft, the vessel — jointly operated with an Omani state-owned company — had anchored approximately 100 kilometers from the strait prior to its passage.

The company stated that the crew and the ship are in full health, but for security reasons it withheld details such as the exact timing of the transit and the nationalities of the crew.

The ship is named Sohar LNG and is jointly owned by the Japanese company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. It sails under the Panamanian flag.

Importantly, this is not the first Japanese LNG carrier to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; it is the third vessel linked to Japan that has successfully transited this strategic waterway since the escalation of tensions on February 28, 2026. Previously, two other vessels from the same company — Green Sanvi and Green Asha, carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — had also passed successfully.

The Sohar LNG is the outcome of a long-standing strategic partnership between Oman and Japan. Oman began LNG production and export in 1994 with the establishment of Oman LNG, and Japanese companies including Mitsui have been shareholders and buyers in the project from the beginning.

Japan, which sources about 90% of its energy needs from the Persian Gulf, has always sought reliable energy suppliers in the region. Oman is regarded as one of Japan’s most stable commercial partners in the Persian Gulf and has signed long-term LNG supply agreements with Japanese companies.

According to reports, vessels that successfully transit the Strait of Hormuz use a route approved by Iran near Larak Island. In the past 24 hours, 15 ships with Iranian permission have passed through this route, although overall maritime traffic remains approximately 90% below pre-conflict normal levels.

Japan: Arranging High-Level Talks with Iran

Japan announced it is working to arrange dialogue with Iran to help reduce tensions in West Asia caused by American-Zionist aggression.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on the afternoon of Monday, April 6, 2026 (Tehran time) that Tokyo is preparing high-level telephone negotiations between herself and an Iranian official to help de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as soon as possible.

According to Japanese media, Takaichi told the Upper House of the Japanese Parliament: “We are preparing to hold high-level talks at the appropriate time.”

She added that the government is examining all possible measures to ensure the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

These talks would be the first direct conversation between Japanese and Iranian leaders since the start of American and Israeli attacks on Iran. In the potential phone call, Tokyo may raise the issue of releasing Japanese nationals detained in Iran.

Although Takaichi did not specify the Iranian counterpart, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official stated that the person on the other side would be Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.