Fukuda wants Japan to send troops overseas

TOKYO, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is pushing for a law that would allow Japan to send troops on international missions.

Fukuda also told legislators at the start of the parliamentary session Friday that increases in gasoline and automobile taxes must become permanent to finance road maintenance, The Japan Times reported.

Since World War II, Japan by law has not used its defense forces outside the home islands. The country has participated in international interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan with financial aid, refueling services and specialist contributions.

"A peaceful and stable international society is a precious asset to Japan and Japan must do whatever it can to cooperate," Fukuda said.

Higher gas and automobile taxes have been in place since the 1970s but have never been made permanent. The Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition group, has begun pushing to roll back the taxes to bring down the price of gas.