Tokyo, Oct 03: Japan's lower house of Parliament voted today to extend an anti-terror law that lets the military continue providing non-combat support for the US-led war on terror in Afghanistan. The decision by the more powerful of the Parliament's two chambers makes it all but certain that Japan can keep forces deployed in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean for another two years. Since the law was first passed in October 2001, Japanese warships and hundreds of military personnel have transported fuel and supplies for US and other allies' vessels. Lower house lawmakers approved the extension by a majority of votes. The upper house is expected to consider the legislation on Oct 10. Without the extension, the anti-terror law would expire on Nov 01. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has been a vocal advocate of expanding the Japanese military's role in international peacekeeping, despite criticism at home that the broader mandate violates the post-World War II Pacifist Constitution. Japanese troops are now more active in overseas operations than they have been since 1945.
In the months just after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, the Japanese Parliament passed the anti-terror law, authorising Japanese naval vessels to assist US and British forces involved in rooting out remnants of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Tokyo later expanded its logistical support to include naval vessels from France, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
Bureau Report