Japan opposition dismisses PM's promise to Bush

Japan's opposition today said it will not be swayed by Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's promise to US President George W Bush over a naval mission supporting US-led efforts in Afghanistan.

Fukuda told Bush in Washington yesterday that he would make his 'utmost efforts' to push through legislation that would allow Japan to continue to supply fuel to US-led forces after an earlier mandate expired.

But Yuko Hatoyama, Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said the decision to resume the refuelling mission ''is not a matter that should be swayed by the prime minister's promise (to Bush).''

''We will approach deliberations in the upper house with a tough attitude,'' he said, adding, ''It is important to have public's understanding and support before explaining to US.''

The opposition which won control of the upper house of parliament in July elections, forced the government to suspend the military mission, saying it violated the post-World War II constitution, which made the country pacifist.

Japan had supplied fuel to foreign military ships, especially from the United States, in the Indian Ocean.
But the mission ended November one after the government and opposition failed to break an impasse.

The lower house, controlled by the ruling coalition, earlier this week approved a bill by Fukuda's government to restart the mission and sent it to the upper house, which is expected to reject it.

The current parliamentary session has been extended to December 15, during which the ruling party will try to break the legislative deadlock.

Source: ndtv.com