Japan to send MSDF off Somalia

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

2009/1/29

The Security Council of Japan decided Wednesday to dispatch the Maritime Self-Defense Force to help counter pirates off Somalia, the first SDF maritime security operation far from the Japanese coast.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada instructed Keiji Akahoshi, the MSDF chief of staff, and others to prepare for the dispatch.

An order will likely be issued in early March to send two MSDF destroyers to the sea zone where pirate attacks are rampant. Since it takes about 20 days to reach the area, the destroyers will probably start their operations between late March and early April.

Photo: Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada gives instructions to senior officers of the Self-Defense Forces on Wednesday.

MSDF security operation orders have been issued twice in the past, but only for waters near Japan.

Following the security council's decision Wednesday, Prime Minister Taro Aso, who heads the council, told Hamada, "Do it well."

Hamada later told Takashi Saito, chief of staff of the Self-Defense Forces' Joint Staff, and Akahoshi to "deal with the tasks to ensure everything is done well."

The preparations will involve the formation of a dispatch unit, on-site research of the sea zone, training and procurement of equipment.

The Defense Ministry will send personnel off Somalia for research and to select a port for refueling. The ministry will also devise a basic plan to deal with the pirates as well as guidelines for weapons use.

Meanwhile, the ruling parties' anti-piracy project team on Wednesday started drafting a new law to deal with pirates.

The existing "maritime security activities" framework is based on the SDF Law provision for patrols off the Japanese coast. Dispatching MSDF vessels off Somalia has been criticized as overstretching the interpretation of the framework.

In addition, the MSDF is currently restricted on its use of weapons abroad and whom it can protect.

The ruling coalition intends to enact a new law that clarifies the grounds for dispatching the MSDF for anti-piracy missions overseas and the rules of engagement.(IHT/Asahi: January 29,2009)