Arab News

TOKYO: Japan on Thursday expressed relief at the release of the crew of the MV Galaxy Leader, which was hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023.

The Houthis handed over the crew of the hijacked ship to authorities in Oman on Wednesday. Japan thanked the Omanis for their help.

“Japan, in cooperation with the G7 and other like-minded countries, has been urging the Houthis and working with other countries concerned to release the crew and the vessel itself,” a Foreign Ministry statement said. “We highly appreciate the efforts of the Sultanate of Oman, and all the countries concerned in achieving the release.”

It added that Japan believes the right and freedoms of navigation must be respected and promised to continue its diplomatic efforts toward halting attacks by the Houthis and achieving the early release of the Galaxy Leader.

The ship has remained under Houthi control for over a year. It was hijacked on November 19, 2023.

The Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks in the Red Sea in support of Palestine’s struggle against Israel.