Japan will withdraw one of two destroyers deployed in the Indian Ocean as logistic support to U.S.-led counterterrorism operations in the region, the Defense Agency announced Tuesday.
As a result, one Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer and one refueling vessel will be deployed in the Indian Ocean when the fleet changes later this month, agency officials said.
Currently, two destroyers and a refueling vessel are deployed to provide fuel and other supplies to U.S. and other naval forces involved in U.S.-led counterterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.
Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono made the decision Tuesday and it was approved by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
According to MSDF Chief of Staff Adm. Takashi Saito, the agency has decided to scale down its operation because it found no need for two vessels in the area.