Thursday August 9, 10:51 PM(Kyodo) _ Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koike on Thursday reiterated Tokyo's willingness to continue its logistics support for the U.S.-led antiterrorism campaign by extending anti-terror legislation beyond its expiration on Nov. 1.
Koike told reporters after the meeting that she reiterated the Japanese government's stance in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington.
Rice responded that the United States sees Japan's support for the antiterrorism operation as important, according to Koike.
They also agreed to continue cooperation on stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East, she said.
The legislation permits Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force ships to refuel U.S.-led coalition forces in the Indian Ocean that are engaged in antiterrorism operations in Afghanistan.
Koike's remarks follow statements from the opposition Democratic Party of Japan that it will oppose extending the legislation. The DPJ is now the largest party in the House of Councillors as a result of the July 29 upper house election.
Koike and Rice agreed on the necessity of watching closely the upcoming summit between South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang later this month, with Rice saying she hopes the meeting will have a positive impact on the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programs.
Rice expressed her understanding over Japan's plea for the issue of Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals to be taken up at the six-party talks that involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.
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