JSDF prepares to lend support
to U.S. war on terrorism
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Japan soon may ship supplies by air between U.S. bases in Japan in a move that would free-up U.S. transport aircraft for duty in the Indian Ocean.
On Sunday, Japan Self-Defense Force officials began drafting plans to use their planes in expectation of a bill that would allow the military to provide non-combat support for the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan.
The new law loosens the pacifist constitution reins placed on the SDF, allowing Japan’s military to provide rear area support for allies. The SDF still would be prohibited from taking part in any combat roles except for the defense of Japan.
The United States and Japan are set to start talks Thursday in Tokyo to determine what kind of assistance the United States would request from Japan.
“The passage of the SDF bill begins the coordination process,” said a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Japan. “Further coordination will be required before support is approved, offered and accepted.”
According to Japanese press reports, the SDF would ship fuel and food between U.S. air bases in Japan, and from Japan to U.S. bases on Guam and on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
Under the new law, Japan also would look to repair and maintain U.S. warships based in Japan, a service now undertaken by private companies. It also would allow the SDF to provide security for areas surrounding U.S. bases in Japan, a task now assigned to the National Police Agency.
Security within U.S. bases also will be discussed.
One of the first things Japan plans to do once the bill becomes law is send an Aegis-class destroyer and reconnaissance aircraft to patrol the Indian Ocean in the area surrounding Diego Garcia.
The Maritime Self-Defense Force ship, equipped with the advanced Aegis air defense system, would replace a U.S. Navy Aegis-class destroyer now based at Diego Garcia and free it for duty with an aircraft carrier group elsewhere.
The destroyer would join three other SDF supply ships, including a tanker equipped to refuel U.S.-led coalition ships at sea. The Asahi Shimbun reported that the ships could be on station in the Indian Ocean within two weeks.
Under the SDF bill, Japan’s military would be restricted to areas overseas outside combat zones. The Japanese destroyer would be engaged in intelligence-gathering activities and escort the other SDF ships.
The bill also allows Japan’s military to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees. |
