US says up to Japan to back anti-terror operations

Wed Aug 8, 9:52 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said Wednesday it was up to Japan to decide whether it wanted to back US-led "war on terror" operations, following criticism by the Japanese opposition over Tokyo's logistical backing for US forces.

"We very much appreciate the fact that Japan has made some real contributions in the war against terrorism, whether that's with respect to Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere around the globe," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

"Of course, any decisions about Japan's engagement -- what kind of engagement, level of engagement they have -- is going to be completely up to the Japanese government and Japanese people," he said.

Savouring a landmark election victory, Japan's main opposition leader on Wednesday rejected a personal appeal from the US ambassador in Tokyo to support US military operations in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Thomas Schieffer had requested a meeting with opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa, who has vowed to use his bloc's newfound power in parliament to fight against Japan's logistical backing for US forces.

"If I were given a decision-making position, I regret to say Japan would not participate in an operation led by the United States," Ozawa told him.

"However, Japan would participate in a positive way in the peacekeeping operation authorised by the United Nations," Ozawa said.

Japan is one of the closest US allies, supporting wars both in Afghanistan and Iraq. Japan has been officially pacifist since World War II, making all military missions controversial.

The opposition has just taken control of Japan's upper house of parliament for the first time.

But conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's coalition still enjoys a solid majority in the more powerful lower house of parliament, which means that the opposition at best could stall efforts to extend the Afghanistan mission.

Japanese ships have provided refuelling and other logistical support to US-led forces in Afghanistan under special laws allowing participation in the US-led war on terror. The laws are set to expire on November 1.