Extension reflects heightened regional tensions, rise in piracy; intelligence operations to continue

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force. [Getty Images]
Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force. [Getty Images]

Japan's government has decided to extend the deployment of its Maritime Self-Defense Force, which is conducting anti-piracy and intelligence-gathering missions in Middle Eastern waters, by one year through November next year.

According to Kyodo News, the government determined that it must continue safeguarding Japan-related vessels in response to rising tensions in the Middle East and an increase in piracy incidents. A Cabinet meeting is expected to be convened soon to formally approve the extension.

Anti-piracy operations are conducted in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia in eastern Africa, while intelligence gathering takes place in the Gulf of Oman, the northern Arabian Sea and international waters east of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has in effect maintained a blockade, is excluded from the operational zone.

The deployment consists of one escort vessel and one P-1 patrol aircraft.

Japan has stationed Self-Defense Force personnel in Djibouti for anti-piracy operations since 2009. After an oil tanker operated by a Japanese shipping company was attacked in the Gulf of Oman in June 2019, Japan added an intelligence-gathering mission in 2020 under the designation of "investigation and research."

The government also plans to extend by one year, through late November next year, its Self-Defense Force personnel's participation in the Multinational Force and Observers, which monitors the ceasefire between Israeli and Egyptian forces on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.


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