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Indian Ocean-Japan satellite phone keeps family united

TOKYO, Japan - A Maritime Self-Defense Force member talks with his family in Japan via a satellite phone from the deck of the MSDF's fleet support ship Tokiwa in waters off the coast of Somalia on June 5. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Health-conscious personnel jog on ship

TOKYO, Japan - Crew members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa run on deck on June 5 to stay fit during their antipiracy mission off Somalia lasting for nearly six months. One lap of a course running from bow to stern is 320 meters long. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Red-lit area in MSDF ship

TOKYO, Japan - A crew member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa gets a drink in a hallway of the vessel on June 6. The area is lit in red after sunset to help the crew adjust their eyes as soon as possible in the event that an emergency occurs in the dark. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Destroyer Sazanami seen through binoculars

TOKYO, Japan - The destroyer Sazanami of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is seen through binoculars from the MSDF fleet support ship Tokiwa in the predawn sea off Somalia on June 6. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Crew of MSDF destroyer Sazanami on alert

TOKYO, Japan - Some of the crew aboard the destroyer Sazanami of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force keep watch while the vessel is refueled by the force's fleet support ship Tokiwa in waters off Somalia on June 6. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Off-duty MSDF members play games

TOKYO, Japan - Young crew members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa play games with their portable consoles in their bedroom while off duty on June 6. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Dentist also aboard MSDF ship

TOKYO, Japan - A dentist on the fleet support ship Tokiwa of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force treats a crew member on June 5. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan.

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami (front) escorts a Japanese cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Samidare (front) escorts a Japanese commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Samidare and another MSDF destroyer, the Sazanami, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somalia

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Two P-3C surveillance aircraft of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fly by the Sazanami, one of two MSDF destroyers dispatched on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, over the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The planes complement the destroyers, which have been escorting Japanese-related commercial ships since late March, by conducting surveillance flights over the gulf. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somalia

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force show off a machine gun and a speaker device on an SH-60K surveillance helicopter aboard the destroyer Sazanami in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Long Range Acoustic Device is used to announce the presence of the maritime force to ships in the gulf off the coast of Somalia, with the aim of repelling pirate ships. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers -- (front to back) the Sazanami, the Samidare and the Akebono -- sail in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Sazanami and the Samidare have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. The Akebono is guarding the MSDF refueling ship Tokiwa deployed in the Indian Ocean to supply fuel to navy vessels from countries involved in antiterrorism efforts in Afghanistan. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force looks out from the bridge of the destroyer Sazanami with his binoculars in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A man watches the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami (in this photo) being given fuel by the MSDF supply ship Tokiwa in the Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somalia

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Sazanami, one of two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers deployed on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, sails in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6 near another vessel (back). The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somalia

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force operates a large hailing device called a Long Range Acoustic Device aboard the Sazanami, one of two MSDF destroyers deployed on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Japan destroyers on antipiracy mission make 1st port call in Djibouti

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - The Japanese destroyer Sazanami, which has been dispatched on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, makes its first port call in the Horn of Africa country of Djibouti on April 6. The 4,650-ton Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer has been escorting Japan-linked commercial ships in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden since late last month.

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Japan destroyers leave for antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (foreground) and the Sazanami (R), leave the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

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Japan destroyers leave for antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Relatives see off family members standing in line on the deck of the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14. The Sazanami and the destroyer Samidare left the base for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

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Japan destroyers leave on antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (L) and the Sazanami, prepare to set sail for an antipiracy mission off Somalia at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14.

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Japan orders MSDF dispatch for antipiracy mission off Somalia

HIROSHIMA, Japan - This photo taken Feb. 20 shows two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (foreground) and the Sazanami, moored at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The two destroyers are to leave the MSDF Kure Base on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

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2 MSDF destroyers to leave for antipiracy mission March 14

HIROSHIMA, Japan - This photo taken February 20 shows two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Sazanami (L) and the Samidare (R), moored at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. An execution plan indicated March 4 that the government will dispatch the destroyers on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia.

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2 MSDF destroyers set sail on 1st antipiracy exercise

HIROSHIMA, Japan - The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami prepares at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, for the force's first full antipiracy exercise Feb. 10. The Sazanami and Kure-based Samidare set sail later in the day for the drill with an eye to a possible mission off Somalia.

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MSDF ship leaves for historic China call

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami leaves Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on June 19 for Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, in southern China, as part of a bilateral defense exchange in the first visit to China by uniformed Self-Defense Force personnel.

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MSDF ship leaves for historic China call

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami leaves Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on June 19 for Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, in southern China, as part of a bilateral defense exchange in the first visit to China by uniformed Self-Defense Force personnel. (Kyodo)

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1st Japanese warship since WWII docks at Chinese port

ZHANJIANG, China - Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel unload quake relief supplies from the 4,650-ton MSDF destroyer Sazanami after arriving at a port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, on June 24 for the first port call in China by a Japanese warship since World War II. The visit by the MSDF ship reciprocates a visit to Japan by the Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen last November -- the first port call since the People's Republic of China was established in 1949. (Kyodo)

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Japanese destroyer visits China, first since World War II

ZHANJIANG, China - Holding Japanese and Chinese flags, a Chinese woman greets the Japanese destroyer Sazanami, which arrived at Zhanjiang port in Quangdong, southern China, on June 24. The 4,650-ton Sazanami is the first Japanese warship to make a port call in China since the end of World War II, reciprocating a visit to Japan by the Chinese missile destroyer Shenzhen last November -- the first port call since the People's Republic of China was established in 1949. (Kyodo)

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2 MSDF destroyers set sail on 1st antipiracy exercise

HIROSHIMA, Japan - The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami prepares at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, for the force's first full antipiracy exercise Feb. 10. The Sazanami and Kure-based Samidare set sail later in the day for the drill with an eye to a possible mission off Somalia. (Kyodo)

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2 MSDF destroyers to leave for antipiracy mission March 14

HIROSHIMA, Japan - This photo taken February 20 shows two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Sazanami (L) and the Samidare (R), moored at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. An execution plan indicated March 4 that the government will dispatch the destroyers on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia. (Kyodo)

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Japan orders MSDF dispatch for antipiracy mission off Somalia

HIROSHIMA, Japan - This photo taken Feb. 20 shows two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (foreground) and the Sazanami, moored at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The two destroyers are to leave the MSDF Kure Base on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia. (Kyodo)

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Japan destroyers leave on antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (L) and the Sazanami, prepare to set sail for an antipiracy mission off Somalia at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14. (Kyodo)

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Japan destroyers leave for antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Relatives see off family members standing in line on the deck of the Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami at the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14. The Sazanami and the destroyer Samidare left the base for an antipiracy mission off Somalia. (Kyodo)

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Japan destroyers leave for antipiracy mission off Somalia

KURE, Japan - Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, the Samidare (foreground) and the Sazanami (R), leave the MSDF base in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 14 for an antipiracy mission off Somalia. (Kyodo)

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Japan begins antipiracy mission off Somalia, escorts 5 ships

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami is seen moving in the Gulf of Aden on March 30. The vessel is one of two Japanese destroyers that began an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia the same day, marking the start of the first such mission abroad for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The other Japanese destroyer is the 4,550-ton Samidare. (Courtesy of the Defense Ministry)(Kyodo)

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Japan destroyers on antipiracy mission make 1st port call in Djib

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti - The Japanese destroyer Sazanami, which has been dispatched on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, makes its first port call in the Horn of Africa country of Djibouti on April 6. The 4,650-ton Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer has been escorting Japan-linked commercial ships in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden since late last month. (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A man watches the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami (in this photo) being given fuel by the MSDF supply ship Tokiwa in the Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somal

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force show off a machine gun and a speaker device on an SH-60K surveillance helicopter aboard the destroyer Sazanami in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Long Range Acoustic Device is used to announce the presence of the maritime force to ships in the gulf off the coast of Somalia, with the aim of repelling pirate ships. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somal

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Two P-3C surveillance aircraft of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fly by the Sazanami, one of two MSDF destroyers dispatched on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, over the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The planes complement the destroyers, which have been escorting Japanese-related commercial ships since late March, by conducting surveillance flights over the gulf. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force looks out from the bridge of the destroyer Sazanami with his binoculars in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somal

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Sazanami, one of two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers deployed on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, sails in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6 near another vessel (back). The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops off Somal

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - A member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force operates a large hailing device called a Long Range Acoustic Device aboard the Sazanami, one of two MSDF destroyers deployed on an antipiracy mission off the coast of Somalia, in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo News) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami (front) escorts a Japanese cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Sazanami and another MSDF destroyer, the Samidare, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Samidare (front) escorts a Japanese commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Samidare and another MSDF destroyer, the Sazanami, have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in the waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. (Pool photo by Kyodo) (Kyodo)

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Tension fills Japanese force involved in antipiracy ops

IN THE GULF OF ADEN, Djibouti - Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers -- (front to back) the Sazanami, the Samidare and the Akebono -- sail in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia on June 6. The Sazanami and the Samidare have been taking part in operations to escort Japanese-related commercial vessels in waters off the Horn of Africa since late March. The Akebono is guarding the MSDF refueling ship Tokiwa deployed in the Indian Ocean to supply fuel to navy vessels from countries involved in antiterrorism efforts in Afghanistan. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)(Kyodo)

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Off-duty MSDF members play games

TOKYO, Japan - Young crew members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa play games with their portable consoles in their bedroom while off duty on June 6. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)

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Dentist also aboard MSDF ship

TOKYO, Japan - A dentist on the fleet support ship Tokiwa of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force treats a crew member on June 5. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)

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Health-conscious personnel jog on ship

TOKYO, Japan - Crew members of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa run on deck on June 5 to stay fit during their antipiracy mission off Somalia lasting for nearly six months. One lap of a course running from bow to stern is 320 meters long. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)

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Indian Ocean-Japan satellite phone keeps family united

TOKYO, Japan - A Maritime Self-Defense Force member talks with his family in Japan via a satellite phone from the deck of the MSDF's fleet support ship Tokiwa in waters off the coast of Somalia on June 5. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)

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Red-lit area in MSDF ship

TOKYO, Japan - A crew member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force fleet support ship Tokiwa gets a drink in a hallway of the vessel on June 6. The area is lit in red after sunset to help the crew adjust their eyes as soon as possible in the event that an emergency occurs in the dark. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)

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Crew of MSDF destroyer Sazanami on alert

TOKYO, Japan - Some of the crew aboard the destroyer Sazanami of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force keep watch while the vessel is refueled by the force's fleet support ship Tokiwa in waters off Somalia on June 6. The Tokiwa was deployed on a mission to refuel MSDF destroyers involved in antipiracy operations off Somalia, namely the Sazanami and Samidare, as well as ships taking part in U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan. (Kyodo)