Tokyo mulls anti-piracy mission: Media

Tokyo may divert a naval vessel from an Indian Ocean mission to guard Japanese ships seen as under threat from pirates off Somalia, a newspaper reported on yesterday, as China readies to send destroyers to the area.

Japan's top government spokesman said no such decision had been made, but added that Tokyo needed a plan soon on how it could contribute to fighting piracy in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The issue is a headache for Japan, whose post-World War II pacifist constitution strictly limits its military activities overseas.