河野防衛相、自衛隊派遣を命令　中東緊迫も予定通り

　河野太郎防衛相は１０日、防衛省内で幹部会議を開き、海上自衛隊の護衛艦１隻とＰ３Ｃ哨戒機２機の中東への派遣命令を出した。米国によるイラン革命防衛隊司令官の殺害後、中東情勢は緊迫の度を増しているが、政府は「派遣の必要性は高まった」（防衛省幹部）と判断。部隊は予定通り、防衛省設置法の「調査・研究」に基づき、シーレーンを航行する日本船舶の安全確保のための警戒監視に当たる。

　河野氏はこの後、記者会見し「エネルギー資源を積んだ船舶の航行の安全は日本経済あるいは国民の暮らしの生命線と言ってもいい」と述べ、派遣の意義を強調した。現地情勢について「中東の緊張が高まっている状況にはある」と認め、「いかなる状況になっても隊員が安全に帰国ができるよう準備しておかなければならない」と語った。（2020/01/10-18:08）

Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono ordered the Maritime Self-Defense Force on Friday to dispatch a destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes to the Middle East on a mission aimed at ensuring sea lane safety in the region.
   The government sees an increasing need for the mission although tensions in the Middle East have heightened since the killing of a top Iranian commander by the United States last week and Tehran's retaliatory missile attacks on Iraqi bases being used by the U.S. military this week, officials said.
   Members of the MSDF, as well as the destroyer and the patrol aircraft, will be dispatched based on the Defense Ministry establishment law's Article 4, which calls for conducting necessary research and studies. They will carry out surveillance activities in a bid to secure safe navigation by ships related to Japan.
   MSDF members for the P-3C operations will leave Japan on Saturday. They will also engage in an ongoing antipiracy mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The Takanami destroyer will depart in early February and start its operations late that month.
   The Middle East mission will cover the high seas in the Gulf of Oman, the northern part of the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The Strait of Hormuz, including Iranian waters, will be excluded from the operation areas. The mission is due to last one year and can be extended if necessary.