Prime Minister and LDP President Shinzo Abe attended the departure of Takanami, a Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship, as it departed for the Middle East. Takanami has been assigned to guard Japanese ships operating in the region. The Prime Minister promised full support and cheered the crew, telling them, "I and the people of Japan will always be with you".
<February 2 (Sunday), Yokosuka, Kanagawa>