Monday’s Asahi wrote that Secretary of Defense Esper reportedly told the press following a meeting between the U.S. and Australian defense and foreign affairs ministers in Sydney on Sunday that announcements will be made within a few days on the U.S. proposal for a coalition of the willing to ensure the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the paper, Australian Defense Minister Reynolds said her country is giving serious consideration to the U.S. request to join the coalition. The paper added that Secretary Esper said more than 30 countries attended the second briefing provided by the Central Command on July 25. The daily pointed out that some 60 nations participated in the first briefing on July 19.

In a related story, Saturday morning’s Mainichi wrote that opposition parties have been asking the GOJ to provide a briefing on the coalition.