In response to this incident, JCG increased its efforts to strengthen anti-piracy cooperation with other countries. For example, Japan hosted the Regional Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in April 2000.
2. Ensuring Safety at Sea
(1) Aids to Navigation Operations
The Loran-C international cooperation chain, which was agreed by the authorities of Japan, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Russian Federation, has been operational (except in the Russian Federation) since 1 January 1996. Its purpose is to facilitate the establishment of effective, rational and stable wide-area electric navigation systems in Far East waters.
(2) Dispatch of Patrol Vessels for Anticipated Emergencies in East Timor
Under the framework for special autonomy in East Timor proposed by the Indonesian Government, the referendum to confirm the will of the people was scheduled to take place in August 1999. In such situations, given the possibility of an emergency associated with the planned referendum, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs requested that the Minister of Transport dispatch a JCG patrol vessel to stand by at Darwin Port, Australia in preparation for possible operations involving the evacuation of local Japanese. Responding to the request, JCG immediately sent the patrol vessel, Mizuho, to Darwin, which was on a rescue and patrol mission in southern Japanese waters at the time. On 4 September when the result of the referendum was announced, Mizuho was standing by off Dili Port.
After confirming all the Japanese residents who wished to evacuate had left East Timor by government chartered airplanes and other means by 7 September, the Foreign Minister requested the withdrawal of the patrol vessel. Mizuho then retuned to Nagoya Port on 14 September.
