Military

MSDF Somalia Refueling Mission Mulled

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Kitazawa

Tokyo -- The Defense Ministry is studying the possibility of sending MSDF refueling ships to support the Somalia anti-piracy mission, according to local reports.

On July 16, the overall MSDF Somalia mission was extended for another one-year period, and at that time Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa revealed that "many requests" had been received for refueling assistance.

Kitazawa also said that although "the frequency of acts of piracy has not decreased remarkably yet," nevertheless, the MSDF has made "remarkable achievements through the anti-piracy operations."

According to the International Maritime Bureau, the number of pirate attacks this year has been about the same as last year.

As for the notion that the Japan Coast Guard might take over Somalia anti-piracy duties, the DPJ government now seems to have ruled this idea out.

Transport Minister Seiji Maehara has reported that the Coast Guard is "not capable of carrying out the required mission," and so the SDF will continue to take the lead.

"We cannot relax our efforts," declared Defense Minister Kitazawa.


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