[Lunchtime Lecture] The Piracy Issue Off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden

  • Lecturer: Nakahata Yasuki, Head, C4 Systems Operations Division,
  • C4 Systems Department (J-6), Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense
  • Commentator: Ueno Hideshi, Adviser, Ocean Policy Research Foundation
  • Date & Time: Friday, April 22, 2011, 12:15 – 1:45 pm
  • Venue: Kabayama-Matsumoto Room, International House of Japan
  • Admission: 1,000 yen (Students: 500 yen, IHJ Members: Free)
  • *Lunch is NOT included.
  • Language: Japanese (no English translation provided)
  • In cooperation with the Japanese Shipowners’ Association

Since Japan is highly dependent on imports via sea shipping for its energy, its economy and everyday life is greatly affected when the safety of sea lanes is threatened. Of the 445* incidents reported as piracy attacks in 2010, almost half occurred off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, which are the lifeline of energy supplies to Japan. In this program, we will invite Captain Nakahata, the commander of the Escort Division Four that escorted ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in 2010, and Mr. Ueno, an expert on the Somali piracy issue, to talk about the current situation and the background to it.
*Source: International Maritime Bureau Annual Report

Nakahata Yasuki:

Nakahata YasukiBorn in 1963. Graduated from the National Defense Academy and from the University of Tsukuba master’s course (International Area Studies). Held prominent positions such as the Commanding Officer, JS Setoyuki, Chief Staff Officer, Escort Flotilla One. When he was Commander, Escort Division Four he took part in Anti-Piracy Measures from Sept. 2009 to March 2010 as Commander, the 3rd Dispatch Surface Unit for Anti-Piracy Measures off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.

Ueno Hideshi:

Born in 1942. Graduated from Nihon University. Before he assumed his present post, he worked as a senior fellow at the National Institite for Defense Studies. He specializes in U.S. defense policy and Japan and Asian security issues. His books include Shin Kokusai Chitsujo no Koso (The vision of a new international order, co-author, Nanso-sha, 1996).