Citizens protest against JMSDF ships' departure for war

In emergency meetings on November 25, citizens in three military port
cities in Japan protested when three Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force
ships departed for the Indian Ocean under the law to send the Self-Defense
Forces abroad to take part in the U.S. retaliatory war (SDF dispatch law).

Under the catch phrase, "support U.S.-led military strikes in
Afghanistan," three ships, the oiler "Towada" at Kure in Hiroshima Pref.,
the minesweeper tender "Uraga" at Yokosuka in Kanagawa Pref., and the
destroyer "Sawagiri" at Sasebo in Nagasaki Pref. departed respectively,
carrying a total of about 460 personnel.

Dozens of citizens from peace organizations shouted in protest in unison
at each port.

Nagasaki Peace Committee member Yamashita Chiaki, who has been monitoring
the moves at Sasebo base, stated that he heard two national anthems, first
the U.S.'s, then Japan's, being played on the deck of "Sawagiri," since the
MSDF ship is going to support the U.S.-led war.

On November 9, the Defense Agency dispatched one supplier and two
destroyers for the Indian Ocean in accordance with the "information
gathering" clause under the agency establishment law. It is said that in
early December, the agency will assign these advance teams to act under the
SDF dispatch law so that they will be able to engage in logistical
activities for the U.S. Forces.

Akahata of November 26 said that the government has not made clear any
details on controversial issues in the Diet as to if the SDF will carry out
oil fueling for U.S. ships capable of launching cruise missiles and for U.S.
aircraft carrier task force groups.

This indicates that there is a growing danger that the coverage by SDF
units will be extended endlessly without being approved by the Diet, the
paper warned. (end)