Japan Decided to Dispatch 1,500 Self-Defense Forces to Indian Ocean

Yomiuri reported on Saturday that the Japanese government decided to dispatch 1,500 Self-Defense Forces to Indian Ocean to back up the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan. The Japanese government made such a decision based on the discussion with the U.S. government officials in Hawaii for two days from November 7th.

The Japanese government will dispatch a total number of 1,500 forces including 1,400 marine Self-Defense forces, C130 transport plane forces, and the ground forces who join the medical team.

Japan is to finalize the `basic plan on Japan`s rear support` on 16th at the following meeting which is to be held in Tokyo early this week after finally negotiating with the U.S. State Department and National Defense officials regarding the rear support.

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