This is John Batchelor. Speaking of Japan with Grant Newsham, who spent many years there for the U.S. Marine Corps,

Colonel retired author of When China Attacks, about the request by the United States to join in the opening and the maintaining of the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan so far has not said yes.

At the same time, why and how for Japan to participate as an ally of the United States? Grant lays out the terms and urges Japan under Tukhiji Sinai, the new prime minister,

to take a risk.

Look good out there taking a risk and helping its ally. The U.S. after all, the oil

is mostly headed to Asia. Here's Grant to explain. And Takichi Sinai is due with the Oval

Office later this week. We'll have a quick answer if she gets there. And if the meeting takes

place, then Grant is right. Here's Grant to explain.

It has to be something that puts Japan in harm's way, not saying, well, we're going to hide in the

bathroom, but we'll be close by. But it has to be something where the Japanese actually stick

their necks out and not just writing a check. So it could be naval, could be air, but it has to be something,

as I say, where it looks like, unlike all the rest of America's allies, Japan is actually taking

some risk. Do that and the payoff will be immense. So if I were to bet on it, I'd say there's a 40%

chance of that happening. I'd like to think it's higher, say there's a 40% chance of that happening.

I'd like to think it's higher, should be higher, but you'd never quite know.