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Japan to Send Warship, Aircraft to Middle East to Protect Vessels

Reuters

   TOKYO - 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% of its crude oil imports, remains volatile, a
   document approved by the cabinet showed 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 United States has increased since last
   year, when U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of
   a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and re-imposed sanctions on
   it, crippling its economy.

   In May and June, there were several attacks on international merchant
   vessels, including the Japanese-owned tanker Kokuka Courageous, in the
   region, which the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran denies the
   accusations.

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