Annual Report 2023
“Japan's Actions against Piracy
off the Coast of Somalia
and in the Gulf of Aden”
March 2024
Cabinet Secretariat The Government of Japan

Somalia and the Surroundings (off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden) Importance of the Gulf of Aden for Japan
Japan imports many of the various energy resources, mineral resources, marine products,agricultural products, and other resources that form the basis of the nation's economic activities
and social life from overseas, and 99.6% of its trade volume (based on tonnage) is dependent onmarine transportation. Therefore, it is extremely important for Japan's economy and the lives of
its citizens to ensure safe navigation of ocean-going vessels. The Gulf of Aden, about 12,000 km
from Japan, is located on the east side of the Bab el Mandeb Strait, the entrance to the Red Seathat connects to the Suez Canal, and is a strategic point on the maritime transportation routelinking Asia and Europe. The area is also extremely important for Japan, as approximately 1,800
vessels* related to Japan pass through it each year.
Approx.1,800 Vessels
2023 Annual Passage ofJapan-Related Vessels*through the Gulf of Aden

*Japanese flag vessels, and foreign flagvessels operated by Japanese shipping
companies or overseas subsidiaries
wholly owned by the companies

18%

37%

12%
13%

20%

Pure Car CarriersContainer Carriers
Bulk Carrier
Chemical Tankers

21

Piracy Incidents off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
 Number of Annual Incidents
Japan remains concerned about the threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia and in theGulf of Aden. Although the number of attacks and hijackings has been greatly decreasing since2012, the situation could be easily reversed if the international community reduces its efforts,
considering the fact that Somalia is still dealing with the assumed root cause of piracy.
In fact, for the first time since 2017, a merchant vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates inDecember 2023.
Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships
445

410

445

World Total

439

Off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf ofAden

329
297

293
263

276

219

239

21

12
'03

191

51

'05

'06

'07

15 11'08

201

195

180

162

132

75

22'04

246

245

218

111
48

264

237

'09

'10

'11'12

'13

'14

0'15

2161151209300101'17'18'19'20'21'2223*(Source: International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau Annual Report 2023)

2Piracy Incidents off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
 Locations of Incidents=Hijacked

２００８

２００９

=Boarded=Fired upon

=Attempted Attack=Suspicious vessel

２０１１

２０１０

* 0 incident
in 2015,2 incidents
in 2016

*２０１２

２０１３

２０１４

２０１７

*
２０２１
*no incident in 2019~20, 2022

２０１８*0 incident
in 2019~2020
and 2022

２０２３*(Source: International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau Annual Report 2023)

3

Japan's Actions against Piracy
 The Counter-Piracy Operation by Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Japan CoastGuard (JCG) (See “Overview” on Page 9)
In March 2009, with the approval of the Prime Minister for “Maritime SecurityOperations”, two destroyers of Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) started the mission toescort Japan-related vessels in order to protect them from pirates off the coast of Somalia
and in the Gulf of Aden. 8 officers of Japan Coast Guard (JCG) also are on board for judicial
police activities of counter-piracy. In June 2009, two P-3C patrol aircrafts joined surveillance
activities in the Gulf of Aden to cover the extensive marine area. Also, in view of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan subsequently enacted the “Law for
Punishment of Acts of Piracy and Measures to Deal with Acts of Piracy” (Counter-PiracyMeasures Act) in Jul. 2009, in order to deal appropriately and effectively with acts of piracy.
Since the following month, JMSDF and JCG have implemented “Counter-Piracy Operations”.
The current base of these activities is in the Republic of Djibouti.

JSDF’s Destroyer Escorting
The JSDF’s Helicopter
the Merchant Vessel
Departing the Destroyer*In Jun. 2021, CMF and CTF151 were reorganized for the purpose of more efficient operation.
**Stationing in certain waters to protect navigating vessels

4Japan's Actions against Piracy
 The Counter-Piracy Operation by Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Japan Coast
Guard (JCG) (See “Overview” on Page 9)
In Jul. 2013, the Government of Japan decided to join CTF151*, for the purpose ofconducting more flexible and effective operations with other countries’ forces deployedaround Somalia for counter-piracy operations. In Dec. 2013, JSDF destroyers started “zonedefense”** in addition to the escort missions. And since Feb. 2014, JSDF’s flight team has
been participating in CTF151.
In Nov. 2016, the Government of Japan decided to reduce the number of destroyers
deployed in the Gulf of Aden from two to one, since the demand of direct escort by JSDF
had been decreasing and this trend was expected to continue. Vulnerable vessels such astankers with relatively low speed still require escort services; however, some vessels havetaken initiatives of self defense by placing private armed security guards on board.
This reduction has been applied since Dec. 2016.
In addition, four JSDF officers have served as a CTF151 Commander so far (May. till
Aug. in 2015, Mar. till Jun. in 2017, Mar. till Jun. in 2018 and Feb. till Jun. in 2020). These
opportunities have boosted JSDF’s reliability in the international community and represents
JSDF’s continuous contribution to maritime peace-keeping.
*In Jun. 2021, CMF and CTF151 were reorganized for the purpose of more efficient operation.
**Destroyers are stationed in certain waters to protect navigating vessels

5Japan's Actions against Piracy
 The Counter-Piracy Operation by Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Japan Coast
Guard (JCG) (See “Overview” on Page 9)
The P-3C patrol aircraft is based in Djibouti. Considering its operational experience,
improvements were made on the maintenance infrastructure at the base through thedeployment of necessary auxiliary supplies and maintenance equipment. This has made it
possible for the base to continue its mission even in the unlikely event of a malfunction ofthe P-3C patrol aircraft, now that appropriate on-site repairs can be conducted. As a result, it
is expected that activities previously carried out by two P-3C patrol aircrafts can now becarried out by a single aircraft at the same level as up to now.
In addition, as the security environment surrounding Japan becomes even more severe,
there is growing need to operate fixed-wing patrol aircrafts to the maximum extent in areas
surrounding Japan and respond appropriately to this situation.
In light of the above, on November 7, 2023, the Cabinet decided to reduce the numberof P-3C patrol aircrafts deployed in the Gulf of Aden from two to one, and since December ofthe same year, the JSDF has been operating with a single P-3C patrol aircraft.

The JMSDF P-3C’s Staff Identifying the Vessel

P-3C’s Maintenance6Overview
Deployed Forces

JSDF’s Counter-Piracy Operations■ DSPE (approx. 200 personnel/1 destroyer)■ DAPE (approx. 60 personnel/1 P-3C)■ DGPE (approx. 130 personnel)

International Activities
Aircraft

Naval Vessels
Direct EscortZone Defense

National Tasking(Japan, China, India etc.)

CTF151(Japan, Korea etc.)

CTF151(Japan)EUNAVFOR(Spain, Italy etc.)

EUNAVFOR(Spain)

CTF151[Surveillance activities(P-3C patrol aircraft)]
Provision of information from the airspaceover the escort route

Yemen

Djibouti
CTF151

Zone Defense ※Somaliakm

Warning and surveillance activities
within specific waters

National Tasking

or

Direct Escort ※Directly escorting privatevessels

Potions Copyright©2016 GeoCatalog Inc.
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS,GeoEye, Getmapping, AeroGRID, IGP, UPR-EGP, and the GIS Community

7Japan's Actions against Piracy
 The case of “CENTRAL PARK”
On November 26, 2023, receiving information that “CENTRAL PARK”,
a Liberian tanker operated by an UK company, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden , P-3C
and destroyer Akebono of our counter-piracy enforcement, rushed to the scene andconducted surveillance and information gathering activities along with the U.S.
destroyer Mason and the South Korean destroyer Yang Man-chun. We then promptly
provided the gathered information to CTF151, which is in charge of counter-piracy
missions.

P-3C’s Maintenance
The JSDF P-3C’s Staff Identifying the Vessel
Destroyer “Akebono”

MSDF’s P-3C

8

Japan's Actions against Piracy Outline of the Escorted Vessels and Seafarers
As of Dec. 31 2023, 3,952 vessels have been escorted under the protection of the JSDF’s
destroyers. Not a single vessel has come to any harm from pirates, and these vessels have allpassed safely through the Gulf of Aden. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism(MLIT) of Japan provides a single contact point for coordination with the JSDF’s escort.
Nationality of Seafarers（国籍）
インドネシアIndonesia

686India
インド

254

フィリピン
Philippines

177

ネパール
Nepal

53307

16 193

135

Japan
日本

58

Others
その他

1010

日本関連船舶
1411人
Japan-AffiliatedVessels
Other Nationality Vessels
その他の外国船舶
69人

100200

300

400

500

600

700

Japan-Affiliated Vessels : Japanese flag vessels, and foreign flag vessels operated by Japanese shipping companies, owned by Japanese
9ship owners, or managed by Japanese ship management companies etc. to be related to Japan

Japan's Actions against Piracy
 Act on Special Measures concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships in Pirate-Infested Waters(Act No.75 of 2013, Enacted on Nov. 13 2013 , Enforced on Nov. 30 2013, Revised on Dec. 12022)
The number of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden rapidly increased in 2008, and later
spread to the Indian Ocean. Under these circumstances, it became common among major
maritime countries that Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) were onboard of their flag vessels. These PCASP contributed to the decrease of attacks by the pirates.
However, under Japanese laws, it was prohibited to employ PCASP on Japanese flag vessels .
Therefore, the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships inPirate-Infested Waters was enforced on Nov. 30 2013 to ensure the security of Japanese flag
vessels by PCASP. And on Dec. 1 2022, the Act was revised to expand* the coverage ofJapanese flag vessels with PCASP on-board.
Under the Act, PCASP confirmed by Minister of MLIT of Japan can guard Japaneseflagged vessels in the Pirate-Infested Waters, based on the Designated Guarding Planauthorized by the Minister.
*The coverage was expanded to bulk carriers, LPG vessels and chemical tankers etc. inaddition to oil tankers.

10Japan's Actions against Piracy Act on Special Measures concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships in Pirate-Infested Waters(Act No.75 of 2013, Enacted on Nov. 13 2013 , Enforced on Nov. 30 2013, Revised on Dec. 12022)
Overview of the Act(1) Applicable sea areas: Pirate-infested waters as shown in the map
Applicable vessels: Japanese-flagged vessels vulnerable to piracy
attacks(2) Ship owners, seeking to protect their vessels byPCASP, shall submit, for each vessel, a Designated
Guarding Plan(DGP) specifying any Private
Maritime
Security
Companies(PMSC),
implementation method of guarding, etc., andshall obtain the authorization from the Minister ofMLIT of Japan.
(3) The ship owners, before they implement theirDGPs, shall obtain confirmation from the Ministerthat both the PMSC and the PCASP meet all
requirements stipulated by the Act.

SOUTH
SUDAN

Pirate-Infested Waters11

Japan's Actions against Piracy
 Joint Exercises with Other Countries’ Forces
In 2023, JSDF’s counter-piracy enforcement conducted the following joint exercises withvarious navies of European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) off the coast of Somalia and in
the Gulf of Aden.
MonthJuly
September
October

JSDF
Destroyer“Ikazuchi”
Destroyer“Ikazuchi”

EU NAVFOR

Types of Exercises“Navarra” (Spanish Navy)

Maneuvering and Communication Exercises and Photographing“Morosini” (Italian Navy)

Approaching, Cross-deck and Photographing

Destroyer“Ikazuchi”“Navarra” (Spanish Navy)

Maneuvering Exercise, Cross-deck and Photographing

Exercise with Spanish Navy

Exercise with Italian Navy

12

Japan's Actions against Piracy Japan’s Financial and Technical Cooperation to Tackle Piracy

Assistance to Somalia
The total amount of financial Assistance to Somalia (Fiscal Year 2007-2021): US$530 million
Japan shares the view with the international community that improving of the capability ofthe Somali Authority is urgently needed for the stability of Somalia. From this point of view,
since 2007, Japan has been providing Somalia through international and regional organizations
with necessary assistance for responding to humanitarian crisis and for stabilizing sectors suchas public security, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure with the following three pillars.
1) Recovery of Basic Social Services
Food aid, Water supplies, Public health, Education, Basic infrastructure development,
Humanitarian Assistance including the enhancement of human security
2) Improvement of the Capability of Security Institutions
Assistance to the Somali Police Force
Assistance to enhance border control
Collection and destruction of small arms and light weapons in the Horn of Africa
3) Revitalization of Domestic Industries
Vocational training, Employment generation
Repairing of markets
13

Japan's Actions against Piracy Japan’s Financial and Technical Cooperation to Tackle Piracy

Assistance to Improve Capacities for Maritime Security in the Region
Contributing US$15.53 million to the “IMO Djibouti Code of Conduct Trust Fund” (a Japaninitiated multi-donor trust fund) for capacity-building in Somalia and its neighboring countries(including assistance for construction of the Djibouti Regional Training Centre) , and US$4.50
million to the “Trust Fund to Support the Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast ofSomalia” for the purpose of prosecution of suspected pirates.
Providing patrol vessels and technical assistance to the Djibouti Coast Guard for theimprovement of its capacities for maritime security.

Arresting Techniques Training by JCG’s Officers

Escort Training by 3 Organizations

14

Japan's Actions against Piracy
 Djibouti’s Understanding and Cooperation for ＪSDF’s counter-piracy operations
Our counter-piracy enforcement is based in Djibouti. Therefore, we arrange activities togain the understanding and cooperation of local residents which are indispensable for ouroperation. Deployment support-Group for counter- Piracy Enforcement (DGPE) andDeployment Air force for counter-Piracy Enforcement (DAPE) coordinate with Djibouti-relatedauthorities. For example, we interacts actively with local people through sports exchanges,
introductions to Japanese culture, volunteer activities, etc.
As an effort to deepen our understanding of Djiboutian culture, JSDF and JICA personnel
also participate in the "Souvenir Project,“ which is an exhibition of folk crafts created by thelocal people.
Moreover, in November 2023, we carried out the Ship rider Program in aim to improvethe capabilities of the Djibouti Navy and further bolster the relationship between JSDF and theDjibouti Navy.
In this program, officers of the Djibouti Navy were invited to the JSDF vessel to discuss
ship handling and maneuvering skills. The young officers of the JSDF and Djibouti Navy bondedwith each other.

sports exchanges with local residents

JSDF personnel participate in "Souvenir Project"15