A1. The Coast of Somalia/Gulf of Aden is in the midst of the important maritime crossroad which links Asia and Europe. The stability of this water is extremely important for Japan because it heavily relies on maritime transportation to import most of its resources and food necessary for its survival and prosperity. However, from around 2008, there have been multiple incidents by pirates armed with machine guns and rocket launchers in the area.

A2.The number of piracy incidents in the Coast of Somalia/Gulf of Aden has decreased compared to the same period in the previous year, but it still remains at a high level in this year. In such circumstances, Japan decided to continue anti-piracy operations for another year not only because international bodies such as NATO and the EU made a decision to continue their activity in this area but also because it is possible that pirates' activities intensify if we stop the operations.

"SDF personnel watching the surrounding areas of the convoy"

A3.The SDF has currently dispatched two destroyers and two P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. About 400 members of the "Deployed Maritime Units for Anti-Piracy Operations" equipped with destroyers, and about 190 members of the "Deployed Air Units for Anti-Piracy Operations" equipped with patrol aircraft are working to secure the safety of civilian ships in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, a new unit to conduct communication and coordination with related bodies including the Djibouti government was established in July this year, which is supposed to contribute to the smooth operations of the deployed forces.

A4.[Deployed Maritime Units for Anti-Piracy Operations]

The two destroyers are escorting civilian ships while shuttling back and forth across the Gulf of Aden. Regarding the method of escorting, two destroyers first form the convoy at the assembly point (there are two assembly points for escorting located at the eastern and western ends of the Gulf). Since civilian vessels differ in their capabilities, SDF destroyers then organize the most appropriate fleet formation to effectively protect the vessels. When the convoy is navigating through the Gulf, the destroyers guard the front and rear of the convoy; and helicopters carried on the destroyers watch the surrounding areas. It takes about two days to complete a convoy mission in the Gulf. So far, the convoy has never been attacked by pirates. During the operations, eight JCG officers are on board to conduct law enforcement activities when required.

"MSDF destroyer escorting civilian ships"

[Deployed Maritime Units for Anti-Piracy Operations]

The P-3C maritime patrol aircraft based in the Republic of Djibouti are conducting surveillance activities utilizing their long cruising range over the Gulf of Aden which is almost equal in size with the entire area of Japan. The P3-C, after taking off from Djibouti, watches whether there are suspicious boats among numerous ships navigating in the Gulf. They also provide information for SDF’s and other states' military vessels conducting escort activity as well as for civilian ships cruising in its vicinity, and confirm the safety of the surrounding areas as soon as possible after requested.

"P-3C patrol aircraft conducting surveillance activities"

A5.The SDF's operations have been highly appreciated by other countries including their leaders. Moreover, we have received numerous messages from captains and owners of ships escorted by SDF units which express thanks for safe navigation in the Gulf of Aden and request to continue the continuation of the operations. We currently have received total 2,040 messages for the anti-piracy activities of the SDF so far.

A6.So far, around 30 countries including the U.S. and countries in Europe and Asia have dispatched military vessels to the Coast of Somalia/Gulf of Aden. In addition, the EU and NATO are also engaging in anti-piracy operations. These countries are continuing anti-piracy missions with considerable attention, and both the EU and NATO decided in March 2012 to continue their missions until the end of 2014.

A7.Piracy in the Coast of Somalia/Gulf of Aden remains threat to the international community including Japan. Japan has been making multi-layered efforts to resolve this problem from the mid-long term standpoint including the prevention of piracy through helping countries surrounding Somalia enhance their maritime surveillance capabilities and the stabilization of the domestic security in Somalia which is said to be the key to preventing piracy.

The MOD/SDF would continue to engage in anti-piracy efforts while coordinating with other countries to secure safe navigation of the civilian vessels passing through this water without threatened by piracy.