Japan May Use Warships to Escort Tankers

Tokyo, Aug. 6 (Jiji Press)--Some ruling party lawmakers on Tuesday proposed that Japan use its warships to escort tankers shipping oil from the Middle East to Japan.

The members of the Liberal Democratic Party unveiled the idea to
pursue alternatives to the nation's naval refueling activities for foreign
warships engaging in the U.S.-led antiterror war in Afghanistan, a mission
set to expire in January.
The opposition Democratic Party of Japan, the largest force in the
country's House of Councillors, opposes an extension of the mandate of the
refueling operations.
In an interview, LDP Secretary-General Taro Aso said Japan needs to
consider what else it can do. There are many options such as escort of
Japanese oil tankers, he said.
Separately, LDP General Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa said
Japanese warships could escort tankers in waters in the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean.
Another senior LDP official said such activity would serve as a
threat to terrorists.
But a different LDP official said such activity would take time
because it requires new legislation.
It is questionable whether the public approves such activity, the
official said.