A Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship assigned to move supplies for Ground Self-Defense Force troops in Iraq left Kure port in Hiroshima Prefecture on Saturday afternoon to pick up vehicles and equipment in Hokkaido before heading for Kuwait.
The 8,900-ton Osumi is heading to Muroran, southern Hokkaido, where it will be loaded with light armored vehicles, water-tank vehicles and supplies for the ground troops already in Iraq.
The Osumi is scheduled to arrive Wednesday in Muroran, where it will also pick up GSDF members overseeing the supplies.