The Hindu : Japanese destroyer only as 'technical back-up'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 17, 2002

International

International

Japanese destroyer only as 'technical back-up'

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Dec. 16. Japan today signalled its willingness to play a proactive role of a catalyst in the global `war against terrorism' but without committing itself to any kind of combat duties whatsoever.

Tokyo's updated policy of activism was launched even as the 7,250-tonnes `Kirishima' of Japan's "Maritime Self Defence Force'' today left the port of Yokosuka for the Indian Ocean. A crowd of supporters of `pacifist' Japan and a separate group of those opposed to any such `deviation' from the "anti-war constitution'' were present when the warship, a hi-tech destroyer equipped with the state-of-the-art `Aegis missile defence system', left shore.

The destroyer might eventually bring up `rearguard' technical support for the U.S. fleet in the Arabian Sea-Indian Ocean area in the event of an American decision to launch an offensive against Iraq.

The `Aegis system', preciously scarce across the globe, can gather `intelligence' of offensive movements within a radius of several hundred nautical miles. Announcing the departure of `Kirishima', Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yasuo Fukuda, said it would have been better if there had been no need to despatch this destroyer of his country's `self-defence' forces. However, the "people must understand'' that "it is our international duty'' to join the U.S.-led global "war against terrorism". The Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, had sought to prepare his compatriots for the task on hand nearly a month ago when he said: "The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, demonstrated that international terrorism is a threat to the international community. The Self-Defence Forces are called upon to fulfil the role of protecting Japan as well as to act to ensure the peace and stability of the international community.''

Japan's action is a sequel to a far-reaching decision, under which two destroyers and a replenishment ship are already deployed in the general area of the Indian Ocean in a non-military formation of logistical back-up for the U.S.' `anti-terror' activities in the wider Afghan theatre. `Kirisihima', the most advanced vessel of its kind, will replace one of those two destroyers.

The earlier action by Japan was explicitly sanctioned by a special legislation that was designed to enable the country's participation in the `anti-terror' campaign. Questions, however, continue to be raised in sections of Japan itself about today's development. at Bali.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Iraq's strategic strongholds targeted

Waiting for change in India's attitude: Pak.

Syria-U.K. meet: Iraq proves the sticking point

U.S. reaffirms desire for closer ties with Pak.

LTTE hardens stand on demands

Japanese destroyer only as 'technical back-up'

Musharraf's pat for armed forces

Pro-Musharraf parties' man elected Sindh CM