The government carefully considered the timing of the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to the Middle East region October 19th 4:42
Regarding the safety of ships related to Japan in the Middle East, the government has confirmed its policy to consider the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces as a unique initiative of Japan without participating in the voluntary alliance that the United States aims to form. In consideration of friendly relations with Iran, the scope of activities assumes the waters outside the Holmes Strait, and we will carefully consider the timing of dispatch.
On the situation of the Middle East, the government held a four ministerial meeting of the NSC = National Security Council on the 18th, and did not participate in the voluntary coalition that the United States aims to form to secure the safety of ships related to Japan. As a part of our efforts, we confirmed our policy to consider dispatching to the Middle East region of the Self-Defense Forces.
Until now, the government has been considering responding to requests from the United States to participate in the Voluntary Union, while looking at trends in other countries, but in addition to the increasingly complex situation in the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia have announced their participation. In light of the fact that major countries are deciding how to respond, it seems that they decided to start considering the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces.
A government official said, “We made a comprehensive decision, including our relationship with Iran.”
The government will continue its diplomatic efforts to alleviate tensions in the Middle East and stabilize the situation. In the future, the government will start a specific study on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces, with the main purpose of strengthening its information gathering system. Considering friendly relations with Iran, the scope of activities does not include the Persian Gulf, but assumes the Gulf of Oman outside the Holmes Strait, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, and the high seas off Yemen.
In addition to the possibility of dispatching Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels and patrol aircraft, including the use of troops in anti-piracy measures in the Gulf of Aden in Africa, we will carefully consider the timing and period of dispatch.