while i'm still holding out for that secret ninja strike force, i don't think anybody expected the japanese to be involved in iran. it's worth remembering that the primary reason they occupied most of east asia was for the oil and the rubber. that was what that was actually about.
he probably should have called the brits because they're still there. nobody else was really very relevant.
but the japanese need this every now and again, and it's important they're reminded about it. they can't be allowed to live this down.