Koizumi keeps terror bill on track

Japanese public opinion backs Koizumi

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is pressing ahead with legislation to allow the military to help the US-led campaign against terror despite losing opposition support for his plans.

A key parliamentary panel has now approved bills that will allow the armed forces to give logistical support to the United States navy - possibly as early as mid November.

The prime minister hopes to present the bill to Japan's lower house of parliament by the end of this week.

Japan's pacifist constitution currently bans any military involvement unless Japan is itself directly threatened.

Neighbouring countries are deeply suspicious of Japan's military ambitions

Mr Koizumi's ruling coalition has sufficient votes to push the bill through but correspondents say he had hoped for cross-party support before he travels to the Apec summit in Shanghai at the weekend.

Talks broke down between Mr Koizumi and the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Yukio Hatoyama, over demands that parliamentary approval must be sought before committing Japanese troops in non-combat roles.

The prime minister said he offered a compromise: to seek parliamentary approval within 20 days after sending troops; and prohibit them from transporting arms and ammunition over land.

But Mr Hatoyama said: "We couldn't accept the revised plans because [Koizumi] has not agreed on prior consent, which is our party's line to the last."

Public back Koizumi

Public opinion continues to support the legislative changes, two opinion polls published on Tuesday suggest.

There have been protests in Japan against the air strikes

The Asahi Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun newspapers both showed a majority - 51% and 57% respectively - backed Mr Koizumi's proposals.

But the Asahi Shimbun showed an almost even split on the US-led retaliation - 46% for and 43% against. The Mainichi's survey showed 57% in favour of the military campaign.

Japan's neighbours have expressed concern about any increased role for its military.

Japan's military past is still a sensitive issue in the region - Mr Koizumi has just returned from one-day trips to China and South Korea where he apologised for past military aggression.

New interpretation

Japan's constitution forbids the use of force as a means of settling international disputes.

Until now Japanese troops have only gone abroad as part of United Nations peacekeeping missions, and have not been allowed to use their weapons.

The new bill would allow Japanese troops to support an aggressive military action that has not been sanctioned by the UN - although the support will only be logistical and will not involve actual combat.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi says the constitution is vague, and that he is simply interpreting it in a different way.

But opposition politicians say the constitution is clear enough, and that the new bill is in violation of it.

During the Gulf War, Japan was criticised for not despatching any troops to the Middle East. This time it does not want to be the odd country out.