Japan is set to triple the number of its contracted civilian ships for priority use to compensate for the Self-Defense Forces’ transport capability shortfall in times of military contingencies, including heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, sources close to the matter said Thursday. The government, which plans to increase the number of its contracted civilian vessels from the current two to around six, also plans to conduct research into constructing temporary piers to facilitate the smooth transport of supplies to remote islands where SDF bases are located. The government intends to …