Japan to send warship, aircraft to Middle East to protect vessels Japan, a US ally, is launching its own operation rather than join a US-led mission to protect shipping in Gulf region
Japan to send warship, aircraft to the Middle East to protect vessels Japan, a US ally, is launching its own operation rather than join a US-led mission to protect shipping in the Gulf region Japan will send a warship and patrol planes to protect Japanese ships in the Middle East as the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90 percent of its crude oil imports, remains volatile, a document approved by the cabinet showed on Friday. Under the plan, a helicopter-equipped destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes will be dispatched for information-gathering aimed at ensuring safe passage for Japanese vessels through the region. If there are any emergencies, a special order would be issued by the Japanese defense minister to allow the forces to use weapons to protect ships in danger. Friction between Iran and the US has increased since last year, when US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions