MSDF vessel joins U.S. supply ship on 1st Japan protection mission

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter carrier joined a U.S. Navy vessel in the Pacific on Monday for the first protection mission under security legislation that took effect last year.The mission, ordered by Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, is apparently aimed at demonstrating the robust Japan-U.S. security alliance and deterring North Korea from further conducting nuclear and missile tests.The helicopter carrier Izumo, Japan's largest postwar naval vessel, left Yokosuka base, southwest of Tokyo, in the morning and joined the U.S. Navy supply ship off the Boso Peninsula in Chiba P…READ FULL ARTICLE