TOKYO Japan's powerful lower house was expected Thursday to approve a one-year extension of the country's naval mission to support U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan.
Parliament's lower house was to vote on the extension of the law that allows the country's support of coalition forces Thursday afternoon after a committee vote scheduled earlier in the day, according to lower house official Yoshiko Nakano. The extension, approved by the Cabinet earlier this month, was largely expected to be approved by the lower house. Japan's navy has provided fuel for coalition warships in the Indian Ocean since November 2001 under a special anti-terrorism law set to expire on Nov.1. It had already been extended in 2003 for two years, and again for a year in 2005.
The Indian Ocean dispatch has been part of Tokyo's recent attempts to raise its international profile.Under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who stepped down last month, Japan also sent non-combat troops to southern Iraq to assist in U.S.-led reconstruction efforts.
Both operations were criticized by some in Japan as violating the nation's pacifist constitution, which prohibits the use of force in solving international disputes. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to follow an assertive foreign policy and military role. He has voiced support for amending the constitution to join more peacekeeping missions and work more closely with U.S. forces.
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