Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Supports U.S. Operation to Rescue Tanker in Middle East

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:00 JST, November 28, 2023

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force supported the U.S. Navy in its operation on Sunday to free a hijacked tanker in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, according to the Defense Ministry.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said at a press conference Tuesday morning that MSDF destroyer the Akebono and a P-3C surveillance plane, which were engaged in activities to deal with pirates nearby, rushed to the location and supported the U.S. Navy such as by providing necessary information.

A British company manages the tanker.