(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, the National Security Council and the Cabinet decided to extend by one year the duration of the following three operations. The first is counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. The second is information gathering activities in the Middle East. The third is the dispatch of staff officers to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula. First, regarding counter-piracy operations, piracy incidents have remained at low levels compared with their peak due to the efforts of the international community, including Japan. However, the root causes of piracy remain unresolved, and counter-piracy operations must continue to be conducted to ensure the safety of navigation along sea lines of communication. It is also extremely important to ensure the safety of navigation in the Middle East, which supports a large share of Japan’s crude oil imports. As tensions in the region persist following the deterioration of the situation since the beginning of this year, information gathering activities must be continued to ensure the safety of Japan-related vessels. Furthermore, continuing the dispatch of staff officers to the MFO is meaningful as it is an operation that contributes to peace and stability in the Middle East, which serves as a foundation for the peace and prosperity of Japan. It is also meaningful from the perspective of promoting cooperation with the 13 other countries that dispatch personnel, including the United States, and securing opportunities for human resources development. Through these operations, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will continue working to ensure the safety of Japan-related vessels and contribute to the peace and stability of the international community.