Japanese fleet was allowed to open fire for the first time since 1945.

SyuzhetyPiratstvo off the coast of Somalia Somali22.04.2009Premer asked not to pay pirates vykupyYaponskie parliamentarians adopted a new bill aimed at combating piracy. As reported by Agence France Presse, he allows the two countries of the Navy ships involved in operations off the coast of Somalia, to join battle with the pirates to protect the civil courts in other countries. Legislation of Japan adopted after World War II, allowed the ships to open fire in self-defense or defense of ships under the flag of his nation.
In March, as the agency recalled, Japan joined the other countries participating in the fight against piracy in Somalia. Under the new law, the ships of the naval defense will be able to protect not only the ships that come under the Japanese flag, and who are Japanese nationals or goods, but other vessels.
Note that at the end of March for the first time in 2009, the Japanese vessel "Dzhezmin Eys" on board was a crew consisting of citizens of the Philippines, was attacked by Somali pirates. Last year, pirates attacked 12 Japanese ships.
According to CNN, in an operation off the coast of Somalia between the two Japanese warships - destroyer "Sazanov project Takanami and frigate Samidare project Murasame. Boats with displacement 4650 tonnes and 4550 tonnes respectively, armed with missiles of "boat-ship" Mitsubishi Type 90, U.S. missiles RIM-162 Sea Sparrow, torpedoes, machine guns and other weapons.
At the sides of both ships, capable of speeds up to 30 knots, the helicopters are based SH-60J - modifying SH-60B / F Seahawk production Mitsubishi. They are armed with antisubmarine torpedoes and machine guns.