Vessels operated by Japanese shipping companies were hit by piracy 12 times in 2008, up two from the previous year, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry said Wednesday.

Of the 12 cases, five occurred in seas off Africa, five off Southeast Asian countries and the other two off India. Three of the five off Africa took place in the Gulf of Aden, near Somalia.

The International Maritime Bureau said there were 293 piracy cases worldwide in 2008, up 30 from the previous year.