Japan to send ground, maritime, air forces to Thailand for relief

TOKYO — Japan is planning to send ground, maritime and air self-defense force teams to Thailand to help in tsunami disaster relief efforts in cooperation with U.S. forces, government sources said Sunday.

Under the mission, the Defense Agency envisions sending destroyers and other vessels of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and C-130 transport planes of the Air Self-Defense Force, as well as a Ground Self-Defense Force contingent, they said.

The teams are to be based at the Utapao base in Thailand, which has been used by the U.S. forces as a base for their relief operations, the sources said.

The Japanese troops will discuss with U.S. forces the roles they would play, but they are likely to include search and rescue operations and the transportation of relief goods, they said.

The agency plan is expected to be approved during a meeting of officials from ministries and agencies concerned Tuesday at the prime minister's office, they said.

The Defense Agency came up with the plan Sunday following Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement issued Saturday pledging Japan will provide the "maximum possible assistance in terms of three points — funds, expertise and personnel contribution," they said.

Japanese emergency relief teams, including an MSDF mission, have entered disaster areas in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives following the tsunami disaster induced by the Dec 26 quake off Indonesia's Sumatra Island.

Three MSDF vessels were dispatched to Thailand two days after the tsunamis and wrapped up their mission Saturday after recovering 57 bodies from the sea. (Kyodo News)

You certainly wouldn't want to be waiting for the U.N. to do something, that's for sure.

My guess is that Japan's non-cash contribution won't be all that large, but likely will be third after the U.S. and India.

Australia will probably make the largest non-cash contribution per capita seeing it has by far the smallest population.

Fox said $500 million. Don't know if that is cash or other tangible contributions.

From the way that I read the Prime Minister's statement, the $500 million is a reference to grant money:

2. Japan will provide assistance to the maximum extent possible in three ways: financial resources, knowledge and expertise, and human resources.
(1) For the time being, Japan will extend to affected countries and international organizations concerned up to $500 million of grant money as emergency assistance to cope with the damage.
(2) Japan will promote cooperation with countries and international organizations concerned for the expeditious establishment of a Tsunami early-warning mechanism for countries surrounding the Indian Ocean, utilizing Japan's expertise and technology. Japan will propose that a special session on this subject be convened at the United Nations World Conference on Disaster Reduction to be held from 18 to 22 January in Kobe, Japan.
(3) With respect to contributions of human resources, Japan has already dispatched Japan Disaster Relief Teams to various affected areas, and Japan will make further contributions by utilizing fire department helicopters and personnel. Japan will also consider, as early as possible, additional contributions by mobilizing Japan Self Defence Forces aircraft, vessels and personnel.

It looks to me that the parts 1 and 3 are separate.

We salute the people of Japan for their steady support in Iraq and ther quick response in concert with the US in response to this disaster.

Prime Minister Koizumi is providing the strongest leadership for Japan in the post-war period in my opinion. President Bush has done a remarkable job leading in these trying times, and I think Prime Minister Koizumi has proved himself also as a capable leader.

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