The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Ashigara (L) leads other vessels during a 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama (L) sails during a 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Ashigara

Officers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Ashigara line up on the deck during their 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama sails during a 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama (L) sails during a 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama sails during their 2009 fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan's Kanagawa prefecture on October 25, 2009. (AFP)

Japan Maritime Self Defense Force's (JMSDF) destroyer

A Japan Maritime Self Defense Force's (JMSDF) destroyer fires an anti-submarine rocket during a fleet review off Sagami, south of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.(AP)

P3C anti-submarine patrol plane

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P3C anti-submarine patrol plane fires flares during a fleet review off Sagami, south of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.(AP)

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force escort ship Kurama

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Kurama leads other escort vessels during a fleet review off Sagami, south of Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009.(AP)