Japan withdrawal bad news for PM
Public opinion in Japan is mixed on the issue
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Thursday, 01, Nov 2007 10:04
Japan's withdrawal of support ships aiding coalition efforts in Afghanistan is being seen as a blow to the country's new prime minister, Yasuo Fukuda.
The 71-year-old beat Taro Aso in the race to succeed Shinzo Abe as Japan's prime minister in September.
Despite his dovish foreign policy stance he has consistently supported maintaining the presence of two Japanese ships in the Indian Ocean providing fuel for US and other coalition vessels.
Today the opposition Democratic party, which seized control of the Japanese parliament's upper house earlier this year, succeeded in blocking a renewal of the legislation providing authorisation for the ships' presence.
As a result the supply vessel and an accompanying destroyer will have to be withdrawn in the near future, in a move which will not be welcome in Washington.
Mr Fukuda responded to the news by stating his intention to pass a fresh law in the over-riding lower house as soon as possible.
"Terrorism is a challenge against free and open societies. The war on terrorism affects our national interests," the AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
"It is surely necessary for us to continue refuelling activities in order to fulfill our responsibilities in solidarity with the international community which is trying to eradicate terrorism."