The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is set to deploy the Special Boarding Unit for the first time to the Indo-Pacific region to provide support to several countries in order to counter China’s influence in the area.
According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), the Maritime Self-Defense Force announced on Tuesday (16th) that starting from next month, members of the Special Boarding Unit will be dispatched to the Indian Ocean-Pacific region to assist maritime patrol agencies in enhancing their capabilities to conduct on-site inspections of suspicious vessels.
Established in 2001, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Special Boarding Unit (SBU) is the first special forces unit of the Self-Defense Force, tasked with boarding inspections of suspicious vessels.
The report noted that this will be the first time the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is sending the Special Boarding Unit to provide support to overseas agencies. China is expanding its influence in Pacific island nations through investments and aid, and Japan’s deployment of the Special Boarding Unit aims to strengthen relations with countries in the region.
Ryo Sakai, the Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, stated at a press conference on Tuesday, “The Special Boarding Unit has various capabilities, but as it provides basic support capabilities, we believe it will not cause concerns or suspicions in other countries.”
The specific destinations and schedule of deployment have not been disclosed by the Maritime Self-Defense Force. According to an official from the Japan Ministry of Defense, requests have been received from several Pacific island nations for varying degrees of support over several days.
Previously, the Japan Special Boarding Unit was deployed to Somalia for anti-piracy missions and has participated in joint exercises representing Japan’s special forces in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise with special forces from countries such as the United States, South Korea, Germany, and India.
Responsibility for editing: Wang Ruoyu#