July 30, 2008TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's military may cancel this year's naval exercise because of soaring energy prices, an official said Wednesday.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force's annual naval maneuvers, the largest navy drill that involves about 90 warships and 170 jets, has never been canceled since it started in 1954, even during the "oil shock" during the 1970s.
This year's drill was planned for November, although official dates have not been announced.
"In order to secure enough fuel for emergency relief activities, we've cut down on the scope of our exercises, but there is a limit," a Maritime Self-Defense Force official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.
"Now we are considering canceling the upcoming large-scale naval drill, which would consume large amounts of fuel."
In a bid to offset the impact of the huge run-up in oil prices on the economy, Japan's government on Tuesday announced it would provide 74.5 billion yen (US$690 million) in emergency aid to the ailing fishing industry, after Japanese fishermen staged their largest-ever national strike this month.
Oil prices have surged to new highs this year. Crude was US$122 a barrel on Wednesday after spiking to a record high of more than US$146 recently.
(Mainichi Japan) July 30, 2008
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