The Abe government is to respond to a call of the United States to be a member of the coalition against Iran and to dispatch Japanese destroyers to the mid-east region. This is an additional mission to the current activities of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) stationed in Djibouti. The government says ‘to deploy independently’, but, practically saying, the idea is to play a role in compliance with the US-led military strategy against Iran. That is a dangerous path as it deliberately intensifies the SDF’s overseas duties.

DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS IS CRAFTY AND DANGEROUS DECEPTION

The Abe government ordered October 18 to discuss deployment of Japanese troops to the Middle East region. It says that ‘Japan will not join the Coalition of the Willing, and the SDF will not be deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz but in the Gulf of Oman, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the eastern area of the Red Sea from the Strait of Bal el-Mandeb’. It explains that the objective lies in ‘investigation and research’ activities set forth by the Ministry of Defense Establishment Act. These missions do not require a Diet approval.

‘The investigation and research works’ were actually employed in 2001 when the SDF vessels escorted the US aircraft carrier, and the areas of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea are under surveillance every day by the troops stationed in Djibouti. The official explanation is a smart excuse. Arguments are erupted even among the ruling coalition politicians.

Main cause of crisis – USA

The current crisis derives from a unilateral withdrawal of the US government last year from the nuclear accord concluded by Iran and six countries, namely, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China, and the Trump administration enhanced its sanctions. It calls the mid-east nation ‘a rogue state’ and has refused intermediary commitments of other nations. The US government forces the rest of the international community to follow the oil embargo policy. After tankers were attacked in the region last May the US government intensified military maneuvers against Iran and it called in July to join a coalition to escort commercial tankers.

Situation jeopardized

Suspects have not been found in the series of tanker attacks. An Iranian tanker was struck in the Red Sea. A Sandi Arabian tanker was hit and the oil facilities in the kingdom were attacked by missiles in relation with the war in Yemen. Israel is willing to wage a war against Iran. The situation has become complicated.

From 2001 the US-led Combined Task Force (CTF) achieved three missions in the area, in which the SDF has participated. As for the current coalition-building plan, it is to organize multinational troops by the US military which does not want to involve in a war by itself.

Sixty countries attended the first meeting prepared by the US military, but as time passes, less and less countries are present in the gatherings. The UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE expressed their participation, and other three countries are at the stage of examination whether to dispatch commanding officers. These nations, too, seem to make flatteries to the US government.

Adverse direction to peaceful settlement

The Abe government decided to send the SDF, agreeing to the US plan, while it has refused to be a member of the coalition, considering Iran, an oil exporting country. Finally it is to deploy Japanese war vessels – a contradictory policy.

Let’s look at the Japanese maritime troops stationed in Djibouti. A destroyer and two patrol aircraft have anti-piracy missions. Applicable laws are absent at the moment if vessels and aircraft operate for escorting ships. (Pirates have been reduced sharply, but the base is present constantly!)

Therefore the government plans to send other destroyers to the region. In the Diet debates it replied to issue an order of maritime defense operations if Japan-related ships are attacked. Concerning the use of weapons in such an incidence, the Police Duties Execution Act is to be applied. In fact, however, the conduct means a battle with warships, which is a combat.

The policy of the Abe government is to send troops to areas where armed conflicts might be triggered as a result of the US intentions and changing situations. In addition, the government employs random interpretation of laws, showing off its own honor to justify the conducts. That is an opposite way to a peaceful settlement. Never allow the government to send troop to the Middle East.

November 12, 2019