Japanese Navy in Arabian Sea
31 Dec, 2001 · 669
Commander Vijay Sakhuja updates the latest naval might of Japan
In a historic move, the Japanese Security Council (which includes Prime Minister Koizumi and other key cabinet members) has approved a plan to dispatch a naval task force to the
Indian Ocean
under the newly enacted Anti Terrorism Bill. This Bill allows
Japan
to support the
US
in its war against terrorism in
Afghanistan
. Apparently, the government intends that supply vessels of the Maritime Self Defence Force transport fuel, food and other supplies to Diego Garcia in the
Indian Ocean
that serves as a major logistic base for US forces. The warships are expected to operate alongside the
US
maritime forces in search and rescue operations, maritime interception and intelligence gathering missions. Accordingly, a Japanese naval task force comprising three destroyers (Kurama equipped with three helicopters, Kirisame fitted with missiles and Kongo and Hamana an 8,100 ton fleet tanker) are currently operating in the
Arabian Sea
alongside the
US
navy.
Japan
was trying to show what it is capable of doing. While offering to participate in the war against terrorism and deployment in the
Indian Ocean
,
Japan
is redefining its maritime defensive perimeter, currently restricted to 1000 nautical miles from the coast. The deployment of Japanese navy in the
Indian Ocean
is open ended and will last as long as there is
US
pressure in the region.
Japan
on revising the Constitution. Joint naval operations, once unthinkable, now appear to be increasingly accepted as part of national defence. The changing role clearly reflects the creeping assertiveness of the Japanese navy and a desire to shed its symbolic pacifism. A sophisticated strategy has been developed by the Japanese in which new roles are incorporated in the military strategy. In the past, the Japanese navy has been engaged in mine sweeping operations during the Gulf War 1991, UN Peace Keeping in
Cambodia
and
Mozambique
between 1992 and 1995 and overseas deployment of four vessels in 1958 including flagship Harukaze to
Midway
Island
and
Hawaii
.
Rear Admiral Hirotaka Honda, a senior officer of the Japanese navy, has noted that the mission was the first of the kind and the navy was trained for any contingency. He also noted that by undertaking such a deployment
The counter terrorism proposal comes at a time when there is a growing debate in
The Japanese navy is a well-trained and technologically sophisticated maritime force. Over the years it has expanded its roles as also its area of operations. Much of these have gone unnoticed by the naval community. In fact it is the most powerful navy in the Asia Pacific region. The Japanese ships now undertake long voyages including training cruises. The new missions like UN Peace Keeping, mine sweeping, escorting merchant vessels, anti piracy operations and counter terrorism clearly indicate the changing mission responsibilities of the Japanese Maritime Forces.
The decision to deploy Self Defence Forces overseas has raised some serious concerns among
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