Fukuda to extend Afghan mission
01/10/2007 14:03  - (SA)  

Moderate Fukuda takes charge Fukuda set to replace Abe Fukuda to be Japan's new PM

Tokyo - Japan's new Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda pledged on Monday to work to extend a controversial naval mission supporting US-led forces in Afghanistan, saying it was needed to show Japan's stature.

The opposition, saying that the officially pacifist nation should not be part of "American wars", has vowed to end the mission since taking control of one house of parliament in July elections.

Japan's navy delivers free fuel in the Indian Ocean to US and other coalition war jets and ships operating in Afghanistan.

"I will do my utmost to gain the understanding by the public and the parliament members over extending the mission," Fukuda said in a policy speech to parliament.

"I will exert a diplomacy in which Japan contributes to world peace through awareness of the responsibility that befits its power and growing trust from the world," Fukuda said.

He took over as prime minister last Tuesday from Shinzo Abe, who resigned after staking his job on renewing the mission.

Opinion polls last week showed that Fukuda enjoyed strong initial support and that public opinion had shifted to support extending the naval deployment.

The United States, other Western nations and Pakistan have all called on Japan to extend the mission.

Dovish views

Fukuda, a former oilman known for his centrist views, noted that Japan imports nearly all of the oil it consumes by sea from the Gulf.

The naval mission "is part of the international community's integrated efforts to prevent the proliferation of terrorist activities and serves Japan's national interests as Japan relies heavily on the sea to import resources", he said.

Separately, Fukuda pledged to keep improving ties with China and South Korea, which are often mired in tension due to wartime history. The new premier is known for his dovish views on relations with Asia.

"With China, we shall jointly contribute to the peace and stability of Asia, building mutually beneficial relations with China based on common strategic interests," Fukuda said.

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