June 27, 2010
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Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force will for the first time participate in multi-national naval exercises off Hawaii after having long-standing bilateral drills with the United States.
The multi-national drill will be part of RIMPAC 2010, the biennial exercise by Pacific Rim countries.
The maritime defense force has taken part in RIMPAC since 1980, but has only conducted drills with the United States, with which Japan has a security pact.Sources close to the self defense force say that it has decided to participate in the drills by a joint unit of various naval forces. But Japan will take part in only in drills for non-battle missions, including anti-piracy measures and disaster relief activities.
Japan had not participated in the multi-national drills for fear that doing so might spur criticism that Japan supposes it has the right to self-defense in international territory. Under the current government interpretation of the Japanese Constitution Japan is not allowed to exercise such a right.
The Maritime Self Defense Force changed its policy on the drills in the face of a growing need to cooperate with other countries in naval missions, such as anti-piracy measures off Somalia.
The force says that there is no legal problem in participating in the multi-national drills if they are for non-combat missions.
Japan is stepping up cooperation with other Asia-Pacific countries. Last month, Japan signed a pact with the Australian military to cooperate in the mutual supply of goods.
2010/06/27 08:05(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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