Japan navy may embark on anti-piracy mission

Tokyo may divert a naval vessel from an Indian Ocean mission to guard Japanese ships seen as under threat from pirates off Somalia, a newspaper reported on Wednesday, as China readies to send destroyers to the area.

Japan's top government spokesman said no such decision had been made, but added that Tokyo needed a plan soon on how it could contribute to fighting piracy in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The issue is a headache for Japan, whose post-World War Two pacifist constitution strictly limits its military activities overseas.

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