Strait of Hormuz passage fee has no legal basis: Japan’s Trade Minister

Japan’s Trade Minister Akazawa Ryosei says charging a mandatory fee for passage through the Strait of Hormuz has no legal grounds. Akazawa spoke to reporters on Tuesday about US President Donald Trump’s plan to charge a 20 percent toll on cargo passing through the waterway.

The International Maritime Organization states that the Strait of Hormuz is a waterway used for global navigation and neither the US nor Iran have legal grounds to introduce a mandatory toll. Akazawa added that Japan strongly hopes free and safe passage will quickly resume in the Strait of Hormuz where they will monitor possible impacts on global energy markets and Japan’s economy.