New Defense Minister Tomomi Inada visited Djibouti in eastern Africa on Monday to meet with Self-Defense Forces personnel engaged in the anti-piracy mission off Somalia.
"The sea transportation security (situation) continues to require caution. It is essential to steadily implement counterpiracy measures," Inada said in her remarks to the personnel, signaling her intention to continue SDF involvement in the mission in the Gulf of Aden, a key shipping lane.
Japan has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers and P-3C patrol aircraft to participate in multinational anti-piracy operations in the waters off Somalia. It has also set up an air base in Djibouti for the mission.