Fukuda to take up refueling issue

TOKYO, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Tuesday said he will soon take up the refueling mission issue to aid U.S.-led anti-terrorism efforts in the Indian Ocean.

In his New Year message, the Japanese leader said he will again seek parliamentary approval of legislation dealing with the refueling mission despite opposition.

"In this very moment, in the Indian Ocean, many countries are cooperating with each other in continuing their fight against terrorism," Fukuda said, Kyodo news service reported. "I would like to show Japan working hard for the world with other countries as soon as possible."

The refueling issue is one of the Fukuda administration's priorities but it is tied up in the upper house where his ruling coalition lacks a majority.

The parliament, or Diet, is in extraordinary session until Jan. 15. The Kyodo report said that leaves the ruling coalition enough time to enact the bill by using its two-thirds majority in the lower house to override a possible rejection in the upper house.

Japan's 6-year-old anti-terrorism refueling mission for Afghanistan in the Indian Ocean expired Nov. 1. Japan's opposition parties do not support the measure, saying such operations should be under auspices of the United Nations.