A Japanese destroyer left for the gulf of Oman on Sunday amid simmering middle east tension to guard sea lanes that supply nearly all the oil that powers the world’s third-biggest economy.
Tokyo has chosen to operate independently as it navigates disputes in the volatile region.
“Thousands of Japanese ships ply those waters every year including vessels carrying nine tenths of our oil. It is japan’s lifeline,” japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe told the crew at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo, before they cast off in a ceremony attended by 500 family members and representatives from the united states, European nations and middle east.
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Abe’s government has said it is prepared to authorize force to protect ships in danger, a controversial decision because japan’s war-renouncing constitution forbids the use of military force in international disputes.
The Takanami, which will be joined by two maritime patrol planes, will not, however join a naval force led by japan’s U.S. Ally or other naval coalitions in the region. Japan maintains cordial relations with Iran and other countries there and Abe traveled to the region in january to brief Saudi arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman on the mission after earlier speaking with Iranian leaders.
