Although flattered by so much U.S. comradeship and constant "we are in this together" reminders coming from the White House, Koizumi has so far resisted U.S. pressure to deploy the AEGIS destroyers to the Indian Ocean and beyond. The Japanese Navy, on the other hand, seem keen on the idea of sailing toward danger zones and has done its own share to increase the pressure on the government to send the sophisticated destroyers closer to the potential action.
In May it was revealed that high-ranking Japanese naval officers secretly encouraged their U.S. counterparts and U.S. government officials to ask Tokyo to dispatch the AEGIS warships, which are equipped with weapon systems and radar that closely complement U.S. weaponry. Even when it turned out that Koizumi was the last to know about the Japanese Navy taking over Japan's defense policy, he casually advised the Japanese press not to make too much of "navy pals chatting off the record."
Ironically enough, it might be Japan's anti-terrorism law itself that prevents Japanese vessels from sailing into the Persian Gulf; the law only authorizes Japanese engagement if the al Qaeda terrorist network is the target of U.S. military operations.
In May it was revealed that high-ranking Japanese naval officers secretly encouraged their U.S. counterparts and U.S. government officials to ask Tokyo to dispatch the AEGIS warships, which are equipped with weapon systems and radar that closely complement U.S. weaponry. Even when it turned out that Koizumi was the last to know about the Japanese Navy taking over Japan's defense policy, he casually advised the Japanese press not to make too much of "navy pals chatting off the record."
Ironically enough, it might be Japan's anti-terrorism law itself that prevents Japanese vessels from sailing into the Persian Gulf; the law only authorizes Japanese engagement if the al Qaeda terrorist network is the target of U.S. military operations.