Japan

Japan plans to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships

cde.news desk 6 December 2019, 06:50 · 1 min read

epa07518748 Sailor of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force stand on the deck of the Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD 117) as it sails into port for the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in Qingdao, Shandong, China, 21 April 2019. The Chinese PLA Navy will hold naval parade to mark its 70th anniversary on 23 April 2019. EPA-EFE/WU HONG

Japan is working on a plan to send about 270 seamen to the Middle East to guard ships supplying Japan under a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, the Nikkei business daily said.

The Nikkei said the government would propose deploying one escort ship and a patrol aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force on a one-year mission that could be renewed annually. It plans to finalize the plan by year-end, the Nikkei said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering a January visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the paper added.

Japan maintains friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, and has said it would not join any U.S. coalition to protect merchant vessels in the region.

Via Reuters

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Japan plans to send 270 sailors to Middle East to guard ships

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