Japan struggles to navigate US-Europe split in G7 over Hormuz

Australia, Canada and South Korea look to diversify ties amid changing dynamic

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at the G7 leaders' summit in Canada in June 2025. This year's summit could see disagreements about how to address the conflict in the Middle East. © Reuters

TOKYO/BRUSSELS/NEW YORK/SYDNEY/SEOUL -- A rift is emerging within the Group of Seven countries as Europe and Canada seek to pressure the U.S. over the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz while Japan finds itself constrained by its security dependence on American forces.