Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa issued an order on Friday to end Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's (MSDF) refueling missions in the Indian Ocean that have been supporting U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan.

The law authorizing the missions that have continued since 2001will expire at midnight and Japan will revise its support of the U.S. in the region to non-military civilian assistance, possibly involving job training for former Taliban soldiers and aiding Afghan refugees in Pakistan, sources with knowledge of the matter state. Additionally Japan has pledged 5 billion U.S. dollars in civilian aid to Afghanistan.

The MSDF's two ships operating in the Indian Ocean, the 13,500-ton supply ship Mashu and the 4,550-ton destroyer Ikazuchi, will conduct their final refueling and other operational duties on Friday, before permanently withdrawing from the Indian Ocean region and returning to Japanese territory.

According to Japan's Ministry of Defense, Japan's missions in the Indian Ocean, to aid the U.S.-led antiterrorism operations, have involved the provision of some 510,000 kiloliters of oil to vessels from countries operating in the area, including the United States, France, Britain and Pakistan.

According to the Ministry the 938 missions conducted in the area, including refueling missions, has cost in excess of 24 billion yen and has also involved providing some 1,200 kiloliters of fuel for helicopters on foreign ships taking part in operations in the region and the provision of 11,000 tons of water to foreign vessels.

Since 2001, U.S. and Pakistan vessels have been the primary recipients of Japan's refueling endeavors, the Ministry said.