In what I consider to be a move as remarkable as China’s decision to deploy far from their home waters, Japan decided to send warships to patrol for piracy off the Somali coast. Japan’s constitution limits it’s military to strictly self-defensive measures. I think its clear Somali pirates pose no threat to the Japanese homeland, nor has any Japanese ship been taken by pirates as yet.
It will be very interesting to see what lines the Japanese navy are and aren’t willing to cross during this deployment.
Since the Japanese Navy is called the JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force) you could say they were taking some action before something happened to one of their merchant vessels.
I remember that they deployed mine sweepers in support of Desert Storm back in the early 90’s.
Preventing Somali pirate attacks is something the 5th branch of the military (Blackwater) should become more involved with since they’re about killing for no reason and making money.