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Japans upper house votes down Afghan mission
TOKYO - Japans opposition-controlled upper house Friday voted down an extension to a naval mission backing US-led operations in Afghanistan, but the bill was expected to pass later in the day.The more powerful lower house, where conservative Prime Minister Taro Asos coalition holds a majority, was set to vote in the afternoon to override the upper houses decision, lawmakers said. Japan provides fuel and other logistical support in the Indian Ocean to US-led forces engaged in the war on terror in Afghanistan as part of an operation which is due to expire in January. The opposition last year forced a temporary halt to the Afghan mission. It argued that Japan, which has been officially pacifist since defeat in World War II, should not be part of American wars. Posted by: Steve White 2008-12-12 |
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