Original title: Japanese media: Japan reduces foreign warships to concentrate on peripheral defense
Reference News Network reported on December 4 that according to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on December 2, the Japanese government has decided not to extend the dispatch period of Maritime Self Defense Force frigates that collect intelligence in the Middle East and expire later this month. The task of collecting intelligence will be entrusted to other frigates responsible for responding to pirates in Somali waters.
It is reported that the Japanese government will hold a national security meeting in the near future to make relevant decisions through a cabinet meeting. The above information was disclosed by a number of relevant government sources.
The report pointed out that the Japanese government reduced the two self defense force ships sent to the Middle East to one in order to "withdraw troops" to the warning and defense system off Japan's coast.
It is reported that the self defense force frigate began to collect intelligence in the Middle East waters last February in view of the deterioration of relations between the United States and Iran and the tense situation in the Middle East. In order to protect the safety of relevant Japanese ships, the frigate collects intelligence on ships sailing on the high seas in three sea areas, including the Gulf of Oman. The ship's mission expires on December 26.
However, no special situation has occurred so far, and no piracy was found in the waters off Somalia last year. Therefore, the Japanese government believes that a frigate can also complete the two tasks of responding to piracy and collecting intelligence.