Japan's lower house okays extension of anti-terrorism law

Japan's House of Representatives passed Thursday a bill that extends the special anti-terrorism law for another year from November 1, Kyodo News reported.

Under the special law, originally enacted in October 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and extended twice already, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ships can continue refueling U.S.-led coalition forces in the Indian Ocean in support of the anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan.

After being approved by the lower house, the bill has been submitted to the House of Councillors for final approval.

The legislation has been extended by two years in October 2003 and by another year in October 2005. This would be the third time for the law to be extended. The government hopes to have the bill passed by the end of the month at the Diet session which runs through Dec. 15, according to local press reports.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has cited the extension of the special law as one of his administration's priority issues. Some opposition lawmakers have voiced their opposition to the extension.

Statistics from the Defense Agency show that by the end of September, the MSDF had provided more than 450,000 kiloliters of fuel to warships and helicopters aboard the vessels from the United States, Britain, France and eight other countries.

Source: Xinhua