A Japan-linked vessel has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and is now heading home after direct diplomatic engagement between Tokyo and Tehran, Iranian outlet Borna reported on May 14.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the ship, which had been held up in the Persian Gulf with four Japanese crew members on board, cleared the chokepoint on May 14 and was on course for Japan.

"This is considered a positive development, particularly from the perspective of protecting Japanese citizens," Takaichi said in a post on X, noting it followed the passage of another Japan-affiliated vessel on April 29.

With the latest transit, the number of Japan-linked vessels still inside the Persian Gulf has fallen to 39, one of which has three Japanese crew members on board, the prime minister said.

Takaichi said her government had carried out a series of coordination efforts to secure the passage, including a direct conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Japan's Foreign Minister Motegi also worked with the Japanese embassy in Tehran and other parties involved.

The prime minister thanked the crews and shipping companies operating in the region and pledged that Tokyo would continue diplomatic efforts to secure passage for all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, including those linked to Japan.

The development follows comments earlier in the day from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the strait remained open to all commercial shipping provided vessels coordinated with the Iranian navy.

Roughly a fifth of global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Japan, one of the world's largest crude importers, sources the bulk of its oil from Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar.

The diplomatic effort comes amid wider concerns over Gulf shipping security following the recent conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, with the UKMTO maritime reporting agency on May 14 confirming a separate incident in which a vessel anchored off Fujairah was boarded and taken towards Iranian territorial waters.