Since I live in the same town as Capt Richard Phillips, it was of great interest to see that pacifist Japan has passed a law allowing the Japanese navy to fire on Somali pirate vessels. Japanese warships are allowed to protect any commercial ship, not just those under Japan's flag.
According to the BBC, "previously, the Japanese force was only allowed to escort Japanese vessels, or those with Japanese cargoes or crews, and use weapons only for self-defense."
Within Japan there are concerns over expanding the role of Japan's military.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/asia-pacific/2009/06/2009619124944697820.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8109242.stm
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