The Japanese government is to seek help of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for securing the release of one of its cargo ships hijacked by Somali pirates, it has been reported.
Transport Minister Sumio Mabuchi told mediapersons in Tokyo on Tuesday that the government had been carefully monitoring the situation and mulling over its course of action including enlisting IMO suppport. "We are watching the developments nervously. We will think about what action to take in cooperation with the IMO," he added.
The Panama-registered vessel 'MV Izumi,' belonging to the Tokyo-based NYK-Hinode Line Ltd, was seized by buccaneers off the Kenyan coast on Sunday.
The European Union's anti-piracy mission, EU-NAVFOR, said on Monday that Izumi had radioed for help indicating that it had come under pirate attack. It further said the ship was sailing toward Somalia and its movements were being tracked.
Japan's official Kyodo news agency quoted a report from a Kenyan ship support organization which said all 20 Filipino crew members of the vessel were safe.
The 20,170-ton cargo ship was carrying steel products and was scheduled to arrive in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa on Sunday after leaving Japan on September 12.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.