[War] Japan: "An End to Piracy"

[Ian Martell]

“An End to Piracy”
Prime Minister Hiroshi Sakai
Japan
Feb 19th 2013

Hiroshi turned on the TV in his room at the Prime Minister’s residence and 
watched Defence Minister Inukai speaking about the revised anti-piracy plan.

“That’s correct, the government’s plan was never to enforce common law on 
all sea lanes, we are focusing chiefly on the Strait of Malacca and other 
areas in the region,” Inukai said. “The previous perception that we were 
going to be doing this on a much larger scale was some one jumping the gun 
and writing their story before all the facts were straight.”

It was a definite jibe at the media who had run with the idea of a much 
larger anti-piracy project than the government had intended, but Inukai had 
the affable good nature to pull it off without anyone getting too offended.

The door to the on suite bathroom opened and Misato his Public Relations 
Director came out straightening her suit jacket.

“Oh is that Inukai’s speech?” she asked with obvious interest.

Hiroshi began to tell her about the jibe but she hushed him so she could 
watch the rest of the Minister’s comments.

“What is the government contributing to the effort in those areas?” asked 
one of the reporters.

Inukai smiled. “The defence department is discussing that with our regional 
partners.”

“Six ships, three UAVs, and satellite intelligence,” Hiroshi said filling in 
the blank.

Misato hushed him again but was smiling while she did it.

He smiled back and got up and checked his suit jacket in the mirror.

“And who are our regional partners?”

“We are currently holding talks with the governments of Malaysia, Thailand, 
Indonesia and the Philippines to develop a joint anti-piracy task force for 
the region, in which Japan will be playing primarily a support role, 
providing intelligence and helping our partners overcome the technological 
barriers to successfully stopping piracy in that region.”

“What of Russia and China’s joint anti-piracy projects?”

“We will of course advise them of our intentions, but it is our hope that if 
we are successful in forming this anti-piracy task force, they will respect 
our desire to have regional powers manage their own affairs in regards to 
piracy.”

“Would the government consider receiving help from the Chinese or Russians 
either now or in the future?”

“We would consider it on a case by case basis,” Inukai replied firmly.

Misato looked over. “He is good,” she said. “Worried about him in the next 
DPJ presidential race?” she asked.

Hiroshi smiled back over his shoulder. “No,” he said. “He’s a long time 
friend and new to the party he doesn’t have that sort of support.”

Misato nodded but he’d known her long enough to know she was simply 
withdrawing the question and not closing the issue. She could be relentless 
like that.

She turned back to the TV.

“Will you be looking for more support in the future?”

“We hope to speak with Australia and India in the near future about this and 
other issues.”

The news feed switched back to the news room where the anchors moved on to 
the talking head pundits and Misato flicked the TV onto mute.

“So what is the story with the piracy plan?” she asked.

“It’s like Inukai said, we’re having the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and 
Defence from each of the countries come up here and meet with Inukai and 
Jonouchi, we’re going to hash out a anti-piracy task force where Japanese 
forces will support local efforts, but the primary focus will be on sharing 
of information.”

“What sort of forces?” she asked.

“We’re sending five of our fast destroyers and one of the Osumi class 
landing ships to the region if they accept our help.”

“A landing ship?” she asked.

“These ones are more or less helicopter carriers with a hover craft to bring 
troops and supplies to shore. The MSDF decided that it would be more 
efficient to use one of these over our newer helicopter carriers, because it 
can ferry the UAVs as well.”

She nodded. “I see. What about rules of engagement, chances are we will be 
asked about that.”

“Ideally our forces will provide intelligence, however, if we catch pirates 
in the act or we are asked by a local government for direct intervention we 
have authorized the commander to take aggressive action.”

Misato nodded.

“And do we think this will fly with the locals?”

“Very likely and to be sure, Jonouchi has tied participation to an increase 
in ODA loans as well we are looking to improve a number of naval bases in 
the region in order to facilitate the needs of our ships.”

Misato took it in. “Alright, I’ll liaise with MoD Public Affairs about it if 
there are any serious comments coming into the office.”

Hiroshi nodded, satisfied he looked dignified enough for a ceremony at the 
Imperial Palace.

“Shall we?” he said.

Misato nodded and together they left to carry on with their day.

Actions:

1>	Have a cabinet level meeting with the Ministers of Defence and Foreign 
Affairs of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand proposing the 
following:
a>	Formation of an anti-piracy task force, whose goal it will be to 
facilitate the flow of information between member nations, joint training 
exercises and as necessary joint military action to remove the threat of 
piracy from the Strait of Malacca by 2015.
b>	A Japanese contribution of five fast destroyers and Osumi landing ship to 
the task force including their eight on-board helicopters and three Tengu 
(Japanese version of the Predator, as mentioned in my 2013 write up) UAVs 
which will be landed based but work with task force ships. As well Japan 
will provide satellite intelligence on pirate activities to all members of 
the task force.
c>	In order to facilitate our ships, Japan will offer to provide 
improvements to selected naval bases in member countries. (okay this is 
going to be mostly pork to grease the wheels but hey that extra plush 
officers club is vital to winning the war on piracy).
d>	Indicate involvement will be a door to increased ODA and future military 
aid.
e>	Japan’s role in this organization will be primary intelligence and a few 
extra ships to patrol the strait with, but if there is piracy going on right 
in front of them or the country whose waters they’re in gives them the green 
light. Japan can and will take a more active role.
2>	Indicate to India and Australia that we are interested in getting them 
involved as well.
3>	Let Russia and China know, if this moves forward, this is an area you 
don’t have to worry about.

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