Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday the Self-Defense Forces could provide logistic aid to foreign militaries in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, detailing for the first time specific regions where Japanese troops could offer logistical support under contentious security legislation.
During debate on the bills in the Lower House, Abe said that if a situation is believed to have a potentially serious impact on Japan's peace and security, the SDF could conduct refueling missions and provide ammunition to foreign forces engaged in combat far from Japan.
"If serious military tensions or an armed conflict occur in the Middle East or the Indian Ocean that could greatly impact Japanese ships carrying goods to Japan, and if the United States or other countries were dealing with such situations," the SDF could provide logistical support to foreign troops, Abe said in response to a question from an opposition party member.