The SDF dispatched to the Middle East Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship units departed Yokosuka on February 2 at 11:39

With the dispatch of the SDF to the Middle East, the units of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer departed Yokosuka Base in Kanagawa Prefecture on the morning of February 2. This is the first case in which the SDF is dispatched abroad for a long period of one year, based on the "Survey and Research" of the Ministry of Defense Law, and we will begin local duties later this month.

The dispatched party was the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ship “Takanami”. On the morning of the 2nd, the departure ceremony was held at Yokosuka Base with Prime Minister Abe attending.

In this, Yosuke Inaba, the first commander of the dispatched unit, reported his departure to the Middle East.

The escort ship departed at 10:30 am shortly after family members boarded it while family members saw it off.

The destroyer will be equipped with two helicopters, and its troops will be composed of about 200 members, gathering information necessary to secure the safety of ships related to Japan, such as in the Gulf of Oman between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. .

In this dispatch to the Middle East, a P3C patrol unit has been working on information gathering in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia since last month in parallel with anti-piracy activities.

This is the first case in which the SDF is dispatched overseas for a long period of one year, based on the "Survey and Research" of the Ministry of Defense's Established Law. If an outbreak occurs, a maritime security action will be issued to respond.

"Takanami" will be arriving at the site waters later this month and will begin its mission.

Abe teaches `` extreme significance ''

At the departure ceremony, Prime Minister Abe told the dispatched members, "Thousands of Japanese-affiliated vessels sail annually in the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, where the officials will go, and about 90% of the crude oil consumed in Japan passes. It is a sea area that can be said to be the aorta and lifeline that supports the lives of the Japanese people.Ensuring the safety of ships related to Japan is an important duty of the government, and the duties of the officials responsible for collecting the necessary information are It has a very significant meaning directly linked to the lives of the people. "

He added, "We are allied with the United States and have long had good relations with Middle Eastern countries, including Iran. We explained directly to Iran's President Lohani the dispatch of the SDF and gained an understanding of our intentions. We will continue to make such diplomatic efforts unique to Japan. "He said he would continue to work on diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.

Commander "Necessary measures based on education and training"

Commander of the dispatched unit, Yosuke Inaba, etc., Commander, Yosuke Inaba told reporters on the 2nd before leaving the port, saying, "I have prepared well, so I think I will be ready for this mission. I would like to carry out information gathering activities to ensure the safety of people. "

He said that responding to unforeseen circumstances, "The content that can be dealt with depends on the situation and the target ship, but we have thoroughly trained and trained on that. We would like to take necessary measures based on the training."