Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Friday ordered the dispatch of Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyers on an anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia.

The dispatch is expected to come on Saturday. The fleet will take two to three weeks to arrive in the gulf, making it likely that the escort mission will begin around early April.

Hamada said it is a "grave duty to protect the lives and property of Japanese in waters that is a crucial sea transport route for our country," Hamada told a news conference after giving the dispatch order.

"The pirates off the coast of Somalia are a threat to the international society, including Japan, and are a matter that should be dealt with urgently," he added.

The move marks the first government policing action of Japan's Self-Defense Forces, which has participated only in support, such as refueling, transportation and reconstruction missions.

The current pacifist constitution of Japan after the World War II limits Japan's military action, allowing the MSDF only to protect Japanese ships or their crews.

The cabinet also approved on the day a new bill for submission to parliament that would broaden the legal scope for such missions. If passed, it would allow Japanese navy to protect ships that have no connection with Japan, and also allow sailors to use weapons in a broader range of circumstances, local media said.

Two destroyers, namely Sazanami and Samidare, are to leave their base in Hiroshima Prefecture on Saturday afternoon. A total of roughly 400 MSDF personnel and eight coast guard officers will board the ships.

Japan's dispatch comes after 18 countries have sent their navy to the coast off Somalia, including Britain, the United States, France, Germany and China.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2009)