Three Japanese ships leave Sasebo
on way to aiding U.S. war on terrorism
By David Allen, Stars and
Stripes
Three Japanese warships set sail on Friday to make good on a pledge to support the
U.S.-led war on terrorism.
The ships, two destroyers and a supply vessel, left Sasebo, Japan, for the Indian Ocean
to gather intelligence, acting as an advance party for deployments of Self-Defense Forces
to the area.
Japan passed anti-terrorism legislation last month that loosens the restraint placed on
the Self-Defense Forces by the country’s pacifist constitution and allows for wider
support of Japan’s allies.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said the decision to dispatch the
three ships was finalized Thursday night during a meeting of the Japan Security Council.
About 700 sailors are involved in the deployment.
A more detailed deployment plan, which includes ground and air forces, is expected to
be endorsed by Koizumi by Nov. 16.
Under the new anti-terrorism laws, the Diet must approve any such deployments within 20
days.
Japanese forces, restricted to non-combat support roles, are expected to operate around
the U.S. military base on the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The
anti-terrorism bills allow for the Self-Defense Forces to ship supplies to U.S. forces in
the area, to assist in the handling of refugees, to gather intelligence and to provide
medical assistance.
The Japanese ships are expected to be involved mainly with shuttling fuel and other
supplies between Diego Garcia and U.S. ships in the Arabian Sea.
A future deployment could include a destroyer equipped with the Aegis air-defense
system. Opponents of Koizumi’s plans to expand the use of the Self-Defense Forces in
international affairs oppose the use of the Aegis-class destroyer, arguing it would come
dangerously close to being used for combatant support.
The ships deployed Friday should reach the Indian Ocean in two weeks.
"This dispatch is for the purpose of gathering the necessary preliminary
information we need for the smooth operation of our overall plan," said Chief Cabinet
Secretary Yasuo Fukuda. The ships are to examine sea routes to Diego Garcia and port
conditions along the way, he told reporters at a news conference Thursday night.
The ships are expected to make port calls in Singapore, Bombay in western India and
Karachi, Pakistan, said Defense Agency Chief Gen Nakatani.
At Karachi, the supply ship is expected to unload relief supplies, including tents and
blankets, for Afghan refugees. The shipment will supplement 36 tons of supplies already
delivered by the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces.
Chiyomi Sumida and wire services contributed to this report.
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