US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had talks here in Washington yesterday
with Japanese Defense Minister Yuriko Koike and thanked Japan for continued
logistical support for American military operations in Afghanistan.
Rice thanked Koike "for Japan's efforts in fighting the war on terrorism,
especially with respect to their mission out in the Indian Ocean in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told
reporters.
"She expressed her thanks, and she also made it clear that this is, of
course, a Japanese decision, but we welcome all Japan's continuing support for
the mission," McCormack said.
It was reported that Washington has been pressing Tokyo to extend a mission
in which Japanese ships in the Indian Ocean provide fuel and logistics for U.S.
forces in Afghanistan. Its legal mandate expires November 1.
Japan's main opposition Democratic Party, which just captured the upper house
of parliament, has objected the extension.
During a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer Wednesday,
President of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) Ichiro Ozawa said his party
would insist on concluding the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling
operations for the U.S. military by Nov.1, the Daily Yomiuri
reported.