(2)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

(2)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

SASEBO, Japan - Two destroyers of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) -- the 5,200-ton Kurama (foreground) and the 4,550-ton Kirisame (background) -- sail from the town of Oseto, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Nov. 9 after leaving the MSDF's Sasebo base earlier in the day. The two destroyers and the 8,100-ton supply ship Hamana are expected to arrive in the Indian Ocean in two weeks, where the three-ship flotilla will conduct a fact-finding mission as part of Japan's plan to provide noncombat support to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan.

Japan qualify for Rio Olympics in men's 4x100

Japan qualify for Rio Olympics in men's 4x100

(From L) Japan's Kotaro Taniguchi, Kenji Fujimitsu, Kazuma Oseto and Yoshihide Kiryu celebrate after finishing third in the men's 4x100 meters race at the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, on May 2, 2015. Japan qualified for the event at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan qualify for Rio Olympics in men's 4x100

Japan qualify for Rio Olympics in men's 4x100

(From L) Japan's Kazuma Oseto, Kenji Fujimitsu, Yoshihide Kiryu and Kotaro Taniguchi pose with their bronze medals for the men's 4x100 meters race at the World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, on May 2, 2015. Japan qualified for the event at next year's Rio de Janeiro Olympics. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(2)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

(2)3 MSDF vessels leave Sasebo for Indian Ocean

SASEBO, Japan - Two destroyers of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) -- the 5,200-ton Kurama (foreground) and the 4,550-ton Kirisame (background) -- sail from the town of Oseto, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Nov. 9 after leaving the MSDF's Sasebo base earlier in the day. The two destroyers and the 8,100-ton supply ship Hamana are expected to arrive in the Indian Ocean in two weeks, where the three-ship flotilla will conduct a fact-finding mission as part of Japan's plan to provide noncombat support to the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan.