Halting Japan's mission in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan would "send a bad message" to the international community and to terrorists, the US ambassador to Japan said yesterday.
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said the decision on continuing the mission was entirely in Japan's hands, but he cautioned that halting the mission could have a negative impact on Japan's efforts to raise its standing in the international community.
"A permanent stop would send a bad message to the international community and to terrorists," he said. "It is important for Japan to stay involved."
The opposition has vowed to bring home ships in the Indian Ocean providing fuel and other support to US-led forces, arguing that officially pacifist Japan should not be part of "American wars."
EXPIRY
The legislation allowing Japan's participation in the "war on terror" is set to expire next week, making it unlikely that Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's government will able to continue the mission uninterrupted.
"If the mission stops, the impact on our bilateral relationship would be regrettable. It will be hard to make an argument that it's strengthened," US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer said.
Although the US would "respect whatever decision" Japan makes, Tokyo has "to decide what role it will play in the international community," Schieffer said.
Fukuda took over last month from outspoken conservative Shinzo Abe, who cited the opposition's refusal to extend the mission as a reason for resigning.
Fukuda and Abe argue that Japan, despite its pacifist post-World War II Constitution, needs to play a greater role in international security befitting the world's second largest economy.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa contends the mission is unconstitutional. Ozawa, who has himself long advocated revising the Constitution, is famed for his political acumen and is pressing Fukuda to call early elections.
"There has to be a realization that there are some people who are not going to be satisfied for political reasons," said Schieffer, who had a testy meeting with Ozawa after the opposition won control of one house of parliament in July.
Japan's navy has been providing fuel for warships supporting US-led forces in Afghanistan since 2001.
"Now Japan must decide whether it will continue those efforts or leave the job to others," Schieffer said. "Terrorism is the bane of our time, and we all have a stake in defeating it."
US-Japan ties would remain strong regardless of Tokyo's decision, Schieffer added, but he said a halt to the mission would likely have a "regrettable" impact on the bilateral relationship.
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