Japan considers sending 270 seamen to secure ships in Middle East

Japan is considering the possibility of sending 270 seamen to the Middle East to protect vessels supplying Japan, in line with a law that allows military deployments for research and intelligence gathering, Reuters reported citing information from Nikkei.

Accordingly, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is now under discussions to pay a visit to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in January.

Given that Japan is in good relations with both the US and Iran, it will not join any US coalition to protect merchant vessels in the region.

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Yet, the Japanese Government is thinking to propose deploying an escort vessel and a patrol aircraft, from the Maritime Self-Defense Force, for a mission that will last one year and could be updated annually. Thus, the plan is expected to be ready by the end of 2019.

Overall, the tensions have seriously increased the last months, with several attacks against international vessels taking place, and countries agreeing on coalitions to protect and support the safe navigation.

Concluding, although Japan’s pacifist constitution is against a standing military, it allows self-defence forces.