Japan women join antiterror mission in Indian Ocean for 1st time

SASEBO, Japan - Female crew members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's fleet support ship Oumi line up for photos before the 13,55-ton ship leaves the MSDF Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture on March 14 for the Indian Ocean. A total of 16 women were deployed in the area for the first time in an operation that began in 2001 based on a special law against terrorism.