Japan seeks approval for SDF dispatch to Middle East by year-end

Japan's Cabinet is considering approving by the end of the year the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to collect information in the Middle East, under a proposed mission independent of a U.S.-led coalition, government sources said Sunday.The government will divert one of the two P-3C patrol aircraft currently posted in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia to help crack down on piracy activities for use in the mission, the sources said.The government is also considering dispatching a helicopter carrier, as Aegis destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles are currently being…READ FULL ARTICLE