Japan cabinet approves navy bill

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Japan's cabinet has approved an anti-terrorism bill that will allow its navy to continue supporting US-led military operations in Afghanistan.

The plans now have to be approved by parliament but the opposition disagrees with the mission and is likely to block it unless a compromise can be found.

Japan supplies fuel and water to US-led forces operating in the Indian Ocean.

The government is keen for the mission to continue because it wants Japan to be part of the fight against terrorism.

The opposition says Japanese taxpayers are just giving the United States and its allies free fuel.

It argues that the operation has not been approved formally by the United Nations.

It claims that oil supplied by Japanese ships has been diverted for use in operations in Iraq, an accusation the Americans deny.

Divisive issue

To try to mollify its critics, the government has made changes to the legislation which authorises the mission.

It has to be renewed every year after approval by parliament.

The new law says Japanese ships can only refuel and supply water to vessels on anti-terrorism patrols.

Ships involved in military operations - whether they be attacks, rescue operations or humanitarian relief - will not receive Japanese supplies.

The question is, will that be enough to win opposition support for the measure?

The opposition controls the upper house of parliament and can block the new bill.

The lower house, where the government has a large majority, could over-ride that decision, but ruling party lawmakers may well be reluctant to do so.

This is an issue which polls suggest divides Japan.

What seems most likely is that Japan will have to withdraw its forces in the Indian Ocean for a while, as the bill is unlikely to pass in time to meet the deadline for renewal on 1 November.

Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba has said that a suspension of at least two months is probable, perhaps more.

The United States wants Japan to continue supporting coalition forces.

The government is looking for a compromise that would allow the new law to be passed eventually.

Most analysts feel it is unlikely that the opposition will try to use the issue to bring down the administration of the new Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

This is an argument that matters much less to voters than domestic issues like pensions or healthcare reform.