Japanese shipping companies began changing their routes after the recent attacks launched by the Houthi militia on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Japanese official television stated that the companies “Nippon Yusen” and “Mitsui OSK Lines” changed the course of their ships heading to and coming from the European continent.

He stated that this step comes within the framework of avoiding the possibility that Japanese ships would be targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea, adding that the ships were directed to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Other Japanese media reported that Ocean Network Express and K-Line also changed the course of their ships for the same reason.

During the past weeks, the Houthi militia carried out several attacks on ships sailing in the Red Sea, heading to Israel, under the pretext of solidarity with the Gaza Strip.

The most prominent of these attacks was last November 19, when the militias announced the seizure of the cargo ship Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea, and taking it to the coast of Hodeidah.