Antipiracy law authorizing SDF protection of any ship enacted

Friday 19th June, 02:27 PM JST

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11 Comments

Gaijinocchio at 02:45 PM JST - 19th June

Should've been enaacted in the first place. Better late than never, I suppose.
smithinjapan at 04:19 PM JST - 19th June

Indeed, Gaijinocchio, on both counts. I just hope they make sure it's pirates before they start shooting.
joseba at 04:57 PM JST - 19th June

I have my -reasonable- doubts about this matter. I feel this is just an excuse to become a militaristic nation again. More than a oxymoron, the "Self-Defense" Forces are the remnant of a imperialist regime that should have never been created in the first place.
teck at 08:10 PM JST - 19th June

The SDF was created under the "request" of the US, when Japan was still occupied by the US, so as to free US occupation forces to participate in the Korean War.
memyselfI at 10:35 PM JST - 19th June

Rules of Engagement

REMEMBER !!!!!
USNinJapan2 at 11:00 PM JST - 19th June

Finally. Now they can actually contribute to the mission.
dontpanic at 11:03 PM JST - 19th June

This is a seriously tough mission. Even those nations willing to use force are finding it hard to tell fisherman from pirate, until the pirates are on board their target and it's too late.
YuriOtani at 02:06 AM JST - 20th June

joseba, what do you want Japan to do? Have no defense force at all? Have America set up the occupation again and rely on them to defend us? (sometimes I think their bases as occupation) I think America will let Japan down, they are not trustworthy if it conflicts with their own "self interest" Perhaps America will take China's side to avoid war? What do you want Japan to do, lie helpless in fact of the Korea and Chinese foe? The only mistake perhaps is making it a "self defense force"
Shumatsu_Samurai at 03:33 AM JST - 20th June

Good news. Japan should pull its weight when it comes to international security matters - it has had a free ride for too long.
OssanAmerica at 05:12 AM JST - 20th June

have my -reasonable- doubts about this matter. I feel this is just an >excuse to become a militaristic nation again

No, Japan has no interest in becomming a military controlled dictatorship. That's why NKorea freaks them out so much. It reminds the Japanese of what Japan weas like 70 years ago. Anyway anyone who has spent any time in Japan wouldn't make such an unrealistic comment.
bushlover at 06:19 AM JST - 20th June

I think it's good they start protecting all shipping. Navies shouldn't be held back when used for the greater good.