A Japanese destroyer left its base near Tokyo for the Middle East on Sunday to join the Maritime Self-Defense Force's first long-term intelligence-gathering mission abroad.The 4,650-ton Takanami is scheduled to join in late February the ongoing mission, which commenced with MSDF P-3C patrol planes on Jan. 20, to ensure the safety of Japan-related commercial shipping passing through the region.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Taro Kono joined the families of the around 200 ship personnel at an event to send off the vessel at the MSDF's base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture."The…READ FULL ARTICLE
