Japan puts pacifism on hold to fight pirates

Posted By Elizabeth Dickinson Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - 2:11 PM Share

We speculated back in January that pirate-fighting could herald the beginning of the end of Japanese pacifism. Today, it's looking more and more to be the case. On Tuesday, that country's government authorized the use of force by its "Maritime Self-Defense Force" (MSDF) if any -- even non-Japanese -- elements came under attack:

MSDF Chief of Staff Keiji Akahoshi admitted during a press conference on Tuesday that the MSDF will be allowed to use force for justifiable defense or to avert imminent danger if its vessels were attacked while responding to rescue requests from foreign vessels that have no Japanese connection.
...'If the MSDF vessels come under fire while closing in on a ship that is asking for help, it will fall within the scope of justifiable defense or averting imminent danger," Akahoshi said, suggesting that the MSDF troops will be entitled to respond with arms under certain conditions.'"

Bring it on!

EXPLORE:JAPAN, PIRATES

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