Japan to send warship, aircraft to Middle East to protect vessels

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe answers questions at a news conference at the 8th trilateral leaders' meeting between China, South Korea and Japan in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China December 24, 2019. Wang Zhao/Pool via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will send a warship and patrol planes to protect Japanese ships in the Middle East as the situation in the region, from which it sources nearly 90% of its crude oil imports, remains volatile, a document approved by the cabinet showed on Friday.

Under the plan, a helicopter-equipped destroyer and two P-3C patrol planes will be dispatched for information-gathering aimed at ensuring safe passage for Japanese vessels through the region.