JCP and democratic forces protest sending SDF ships to Indian Ocean

Ignoring criticism of Japan's further participation in the anti-terror retaliatory war, the government sent three Maritime Self-Defense Force ships to the Indian Ocean under the law to send the SDF abroad to take part in U.S. retaliatory wars.

On February 12, the helicopter-carrier destroyer Haruna left MSDF Maizuru Naval Port in Kyoto Pref., and the supplier Tokiwa left MSDF Yokosuka Naval Port in Kanagawa Pref.

The missile destroyer Sawakaze left the MSDF Sasebo Naval Port in Nagasaki Pref. on February 13 for the Indian Ocean after joining with the Haruna and Tokiwa.

In Maizuru City, facing the Sea of Japan, activists of the Maizuru Council of Trade Unions, the Peace Committee, the Council against A and H Bombs, and the Japanese Communist Party staged a campaign in opposition to the MSDF ship departure.

Hashimoto Yasuhiko, secretary general of the trade union council, shouted, "We can not allow sending SDF warships to the Indian Ocean. Now that rehabilitation is underway in Afghanistan, there is no need to send military ships anymore. We are opposed to the overseas dispatch of SDF ships to take part in another U.S. war." (end)