Yes, the Taliban-Afghan Navy was formidable, wasn't it?
Actually, back in the Persian Gulf War days, Japan dispatched ships which did mine-clearing duties and those personnel were far more likely to get hurt than any out at sea now. And since sometimes the N. Korean ships (most likely looking for places to smuggle Chinese and Korean emigrants) sometimes shoot back, I suppose the Japanese Coast Guard puts in more 'combat duty' than the Naval Self Defence Force.
Charles Jannuzi