Government plans to send MSDF ships to waters near Somalia on 'anti-piracy' mission

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Government plans to send MSDF ships to waters near Somalia on 'anti-piracy' mission

The Japanese government is considering sending a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer to waters off Somalia ostensibly to protect Japanese ships from piracy in the area.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura Takeo confirmed this at the regular press briefing on December 25.

Prime Minister Aso Taro had expressed his intention to consider participating in the anti-piracy mission off Somalia at the House of Representatives anti-terrorism special committee (*) meeting in October, prompting the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to begin considering realizing the mission, and the Foreign Ministry established an office on maritime security.

* The Special Committee on the Prevention of International Terrorism and Japan's Cooperation and Support; Humanitarian Assistance for Reconstruction in Iraq.

As Japan's response to Somalia's case, the LDP and the government have been considering the enactment of either a special measures law that will limit the coverage of MSDF operations within the area off Somalia, or a general law without limitations on missions.

However, there is little possibility that such a law will be enacted even if the bill is introduced in the next Ordinary Session of the Diet, which is to open early in January.

This being the situation, they are now considering sending an MSDF vessel on a maritime policing mission under the Self-Defense Forces Law as a stopgap measures to be enforced until the new law is enacted.

Any attempt to send MSDF units abroad, whether under a new law or on a maritime policing mission under the SDF Law, will be tantamount to authorizing the SDF to use force outside of Japan in violation of the war-renouncing Constitution.

While the number of piracy cases has decreased worldwide, it is increasing in African waters, in particular near Somalia. The Japanese government is intent on sending the MSDF without even attempting to take truly effective measures.

- Akahata December 26, 2008