The Japanese Government is considering to send vessels of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces for the fight with the "Pirates of the Somalian". It seems that the decision was prompted by Chinese quick act to send military vessels. "Japan should not be overshadowed by China."---that kind of usual argument.

I support the sending of the Japanese vessels, because major powers are competing to show their flag offshore Somalia. But, at the same time Japan should be and can be more original in its thinking and behaviour.

If Japan merely follows the suit of other countries, the conventional meaningless and childish rivalry between the sovereign nation states will never cease. The 21-st century and the new Obama world should bring something new.

I propose to establish an international headquater for the fight with the Somalian pirates. Each country's military vessels should be under the command of the headquater. Instead of guarding their own country's commercial ships these military vessels should engage in "zone defense" as designated by the international headquarter.

In this way we will be able to part with the barbarian nationalism of the 19~20th centuries.
Otherwise, we all will have to build far larger navies to guard all our commercial ships all over the world.
Copyright ©Akio KAWATO