Japan to send warship, aircraft to Middle East to protect vessels
Maritime Self-Defense Force's P3-C
Japanwillsendawarshipand patrol planes toprotectJapanese ships in theMiddleEastas the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil imports, remains volatile,Japan's top government spokesman said on Friday.
Under the plan approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet, a helicopter-equipped destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes will be dispatched for information-gathering aimed at ensuring safe passage forJapanesevesselsthrough the region.
If there are any emergencies, a special order would be issued by theJapanese defence minister to allow the forces to use weapons toprotectships in danger.
"Peace and stability in theMiddleEastare extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the international community includingJapan," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference.
"Also, it is very important to make sureJapan-related ships can sail safely in theMiddleEast, the world's major source of energy."
Friction between Iran and the United States has increased since last year, when USPresident Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions on it, crippling its economy.
In May and June, there were several attacks on international merchantvesselsin the region, including theJapanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the accusations.
Oil importers and refiners welcomed the government's decision.
"TheMiddleEastsituation remains unpredictable. We believe the decision, made against this backdrop, will benefit the safe passage of ships in the region," Petroleum Association ofJapanPresident Takashi Tsukioka said in a statement.
Japan, a USally that has maintained friendly ties with Iran, has opted to launch its own operation rather than join a US-led mission toprotectshipping in the region.
Abe last week briefed visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tokyo's plan tosendnaval forces to the Gulf.
The planned operation is set to cover high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden, but not the Strait of Hormuz.
TheJapanese government aims to start the operation of the patrol planes next month, while the destroyer will likely begin activities in the region in February, a defence ministry official said.
The government decision is effective for one year through December 26, 2020. A fresh cabinet approval is necessary to extend the armed force's activities in theMiddleEast.
A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf will also get underway next month when a Frenchwarshipstarts patrolling there.