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.

If there are any emergencies, a special order would be issued by the Japanese defense minister to allow the forces to use weapons to protect ships in danger
find out more on https://www.classyupdate.com/japan-to-send-warship-aircraft-to-middle-east-to-protect-vessels/

Japan is testing the changes it made to its pacifist constitution.
This would be their first international engagement after WW2. Japan wants to break from the shackles of the pacifist constitution.

All hail japan