Tokyo

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono ordered the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) on Friday to dispatch a destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes to the Middle East on a mission aimed at ensuring sea lane safety in the region.

The government sees an increasing need for the mission despite heightening tensions in the region since the killing of a top Iranian commander by the United States last week and Tehran's retaliatory missile attacks on Iraqi bases being used by the U.S. military this week, officials said.

Members of the MSDF, as well as the destroyer and the patrol aircraft, will be dispatched on the basis of the Defense Ministry establishment law's Article 4, which calls for conducting necessary research and studies. They will carry out surveillance activities in a bid to secure safe navigation by ships related to Japan.

"Safe navigation by ships carrying energy resources (in the Middle East) is a critical lifeline for Japan's economy and the livelihood of its people," Kono said at a press conference after he issued the order at a meeting of senior officials of the ministry.

Admitting that tensions in the region have been increasing, he said, "We must make full preparations to ensure the safe return home of the personnel to be dispatched under any situation."

MSDF members for the P-3C operations will leave Japan on Saturday. They will also engage in an ongoing antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The Takanami destroyer will depart in early February and start its operations late that month.

The Middle East mission will cover the high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The Strait of Hormuz, including Iranian waters, will be excluded from the operating areas. The mission is due to last one year and can be extended if necessary.

In the event of a contingency, an order for maritime security operations will be issued under the SDF law to have the MSDF engage in operations to protect Japanese ships. Since the cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe endorsed the Middle East mission on Dec. 27 last year, the MSDF has been working to secure a supply base and necessary equipment, while training its members in the run-up to the deployment.

During his five-day visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman from Saturday, Abe plans to explain the aims of the MSDF mission to leaders of the Middle East countries.

Jiji Press