In a counter-measure against pirates, the JMSDF escort vessel Ikazuchi departs for the waters of Somalia/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205110025/

May 11, 2012

The escort ship Ikazuchi heads off to the Somalian Coast=The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Regional District Headquarters in Yokosuka City

With both Eastern Africa's Gulf of Aden and the shores of Somalia dealing with frequent occurrences of pirates, the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force's Ikazuchi escort ship departed Yokosuka on the 11th. From the beginning of next month until April, along with other escort ships, it's been assigned to protect civilian cargo ships.

At Yokosuka's Regional District Headquarters Departure Ceremony, Vice Admiral Kawamura Katsunori read a statement on behalf of Minister of Defense Tanaka Naoki, encouraging the 180 people boarding the ship: "We realize that both the people of Japan and international companies are expecting us to shoulder this burden, which we wish to fully carry out." 330 family members gathered to see off Ikazuchi as it left the shores.

Original text:

 海自護衛艦「いかづち」ソマリア沖へ、海賊対策で出港/横須賀

2012年5月11日

ソマリア沖に向けて出港するいかづち＝横須賀市の海自横須賀地方総監部

アフリカ東部ソマリア沖・アデン湾で多発する海賊への対処のため、海上自衛隊の護衛艦「いかづち」が11日、横須賀を出港した。来月上旬から４カ月間、別の護衛艦とともに民間船舶の護衛などの任務に当たる。

出港式では横須賀地方総監の河村克則海将が田中直紀防衛大臣の訓示を代読。「国民と国際社会からの期待を双肩に担っていると自覚し、任務を完遂してほしい」と約１８０人の乗組員を激励した。いかづちは集まった約３３０人の家族らが見守る中、離岸していった。