Media: Japan's self-defense forces to carry out new operations to protect U.S. Navy ships
Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) ships will carry out new operations aimed at the protection of the U.S. fleet ensuring the security of Japan, as announced on Sunday on NHK, citing government sources.
According to the report, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada has already issued the order. It is expected that the crew of the Izumo helicopter carrier will be the first to fulfill these tasks, which became possible after adopting amendments to defense legislation.
On May 1st, the ship will leave the Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo, and start a three-month voyage to the shores of the Philippines and Indonesia. On the way, she will undertake the protection of U.S. Navy supply ships the Pacific Ocean between the island of Shikoku and the peninsula of Boso, which forms the Tokyo Bay. According to the plan, when they eventually disband, the U.S. ships will go to the Sea of Japan to deliver fuel for other U.S. Navy ships equipped with Aegis command and control systems.
The ability to participate in this operation was provided after the effective date of amendments passed in March of last year. According to the law, Japanese ships can defend the armaments and equipment of the United States and other countries that are involved in ensuring the security of Japan. At the same time, they will be allowed to use weapons to a limited extent, even in peacetime, should there be sufficient reason to do so.
The self-defense forces will monitor the area around American ships in order to identify suspicious vessels or aircraft.