YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Pref. (Kyodo) Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers departed Tuesday to participate in antipiracy operations off Somalia, relieving two other destroyers operating there since July.
The 4,650-ton Takanami and 3,550-ton Hamagiri are the first to be sent to the Gulf of Aden under the administration of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said the new administration plans to continue the MSDF operations off Somalia because they have been effective in helping deter piracy.