The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tokyo

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda pleaded Tuesday with the opposition to allow Japan to rejoin the US-led "war on terror," saying that international operations were achieving progress in Afghanistan. The upper house of parliament, which the opposition took over in summer elections, took up debate on the bill to resume Japan's naval mission, which provided fuel and other support on the Indian Ocean to forces in Afghanistan. "We must realise the significance of the refueling activities in the Indian Ocean," Fukuda told the foreign affairs committee of the upper house. But the government faces an uphill battle to change the mind of the opposition, which has insisted that officially pacifist Japan should not be part of "American wars." Japan was forced to call the ships home a month ago after legislation expired due to the deadlock in parliament.