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Japan`s lower house votes to extend anti-terror legislation
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.
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
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