U.S. Wants Japan to Send Aegis Destroyer
U.S. Ambassador Howard H. Baker Jr. said today that the United States would prefer that Japan deploy one of its advanced Aegis destroyers in the global war on terrorism, a move Tokyo has so far ruled out.
“I’m disappointed they didn’t send the Aegis,” he said. “. . . But it’s certainly not a disaster.”
The top Bush administration official in Japan said the vessel was not essential in military terms but was important in other ways.
“If you care enough, you send the very best,” he said. “It would be useful and helpful, and it is the best they have, but we can get along without it.”
Baker added several times, however, that Washington is very pleased with the overall level of support Japan has displayed in the global anti-terrorism fight, given the Asian nation’s cultural and political sensitivities related to its imperialist history.
Japan approved a basic plan Friday to provide logistics help in Central Asia. Six destroyers and two transport ships have already set sail. But sending some of Japan’s most advanced hardware abroad is seen as too aggressive a step by several key figures within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Opposition lawmakers also argued that including the advanced weaponry would violate Japan’s post-World War II pacifist constitution.
Japan has four of the $1-billion Aegis vessels, which can track and shoot down more than 10 targets simultaneously.
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