JSDF prepares to lend support
to U.S. war on terrorism
By David Allen, Stars and
Stripes
Japan soon may ship supplies by air between U.S. bases in Japan in a
move that would free-up U.S. transport aircraft for duty in the Indian Ocean.
On Sunday, Japan Self-Defense Force officials began drafting plans to
use their planes in expectation of a bill that would allow the military to provide
non-combat support for the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan.
The new law loosens the pacifist constitution reins placed on the
SDF, allowing Japan’s military to provide rear area support for allies. The SDF still
would be prohibited from taking part in any combat roles except for the defense of Japan.
The United States and Japan are set to start talks Thursday in Tokyo
to determine what kind of assistance the United States would request from Japan.
“The passage of the SDF bill begins the coordination
process,” said a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Japan. “Further coordination will
be required before support is approved, offered and accepted.”
According to Japanese press reports, the SDF would ship fuel and food
between U.S. air bases in Japan, and from Japan to U.S. bases on Guam and on the island of
Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Under the new law, Japan also would look to repair and maintain U.S.
warships based in Japan, a service now undertaken by private companies. It also would
allow the SDF to provide security for areas surrounding U.S. bases in Japan, a task now
assigned to the National Police Agency.
Security within U.S. bases also will be discussed.
One of the first things Japan plans to do once the bill becomes law
is send an Aegis-class destroyer and reconnaissance aircraft to patrol the Indian Ocean in
the area surrounding Diego Garcia.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, equipped with the advanced
Aegis air defense system, would replace a U.S. Navy Aegis-class destroyer now based at
Diego Garcia and free it for duty with an aircraft carrier group elsewhere.
The destroyer would join three other SDF supply ships, including a
tanker equipped to refuel U.S.-led coalition ships at sea. The Asahi Shimbun reported that
the ships could be on station in the Indian Ocean within two weeks.
Under the SDF bill, Japan’s military would be restricted to
areas overseas outside combat zones. The Japanese destroyer would be engaged in
intelligence-gathering activities and escort the other SDF ships.
The bill also allows Japan’s military to provide humanitarian
assistance to refugees.
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