First Operation of Protecting U.S. Vessel

Minister of Defense, Tomomi Inada, issued an order for the first time to protect United States military vessels, the operation which was thought to be enabled by new security legislation with reinterpretation of Constitution of Japan. A destroyer of Japanese Maritime Self-defense Force joined U.S. Striking Group headed by U.S.S. Carl Vinson on Monday. It is still unclear, anyway, what kind of meaning does the protection have in deterring nuclear and missile development of North Korea.

MoD decided to send a helicopter destroyer, Izumo, for the first operation of protecting U.S. vessels. Izumo left Yokosuka JMSDF Base Monday morning and joined a supply vessel of U.S. Navy offshore Boso Peninsula in the afternoon. The destroyer, actually making no visual difference from aircraft carrier, is going to be along with the U.S. vessel to offshore Shikoku Island for two days. Izumo will be separated from U.S. vessel and head to Singapore where an international naval review will be held.

Protection of U.S. vessel was one of the most controversial talking points in the discussion over new security legislation. Article 95 of Self-defense Forces Law enables JSDF to protect American Force in an operation with JSDF which would contribute to defending Japan. Use of weapons for the operation is allowed. The operation includes patrol for launching ballistic missile, supply and transportation in “an significantly affective situation” for Japan’s security or joint drill between Japan and U.S.

MoD expected that the first operation of protecting U.S. vessels would be made in a joint drill this fall. With escalation of intimidation from North Korea, the schedule was changed. For the operation, JSDF needs to receive official request from U.S. Force. After that, Japanese government has to have a conference of National Security Council. It is likely that both governments agreed on the necessity of integration of both forces in a growing tension over North Korea.

As long as Izumo will not enter into Japan Sea, purpose of the operation is still questioned. While it has high capability in detecting submarines around, Izumo loads weapons only for protecting itself, not suitable for offensive operation. Military experts suppose that Shinzo Abe administration decided the operation for demonstrating new type of JSDF activities.

To the operation, China has not officially responded. China Central Television reported that Japanese new security legislation allowed minimum use of weapons and introduced Izumo as the biggest vessel in JSMDF in a shape of aircraft carrier. It is likely that Chinese government will oppose the operation, regarding it as an activity of containing China. This new operation is likely to raise tension in the region.