Japan defies al-Qaeda 'threat'

Japan is investigating whether the threats are credible

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has said his government will not be intimidated by an alleged terrorist threat from Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

A London-based Arabic newspaper reported the threat, which appeared to warn Japan not to send troops to Iraq.

The threat, issued with a claim of responsibility for bombings in Turkey, caused Tokyo shares to fall.

Mr Koizumi told reporters: "We must not give in to the threats".

Two London-based Arabic publications printed threats from alleged al-Qaeda activists against the US and its allies.

One of them, Al-Quds Al-Arabi, quoted an e-mail from an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, Brigades of the Martyr Abu Hafz al-Masri.

Since 9/11 we have always been on guard. Strictly on guard Yasuo Fukuda Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary

"We tell the criminal Bush and his Arab and non-Arab followers (especially Britain, Italy, Australia, and Japan), that cars of death will not stop at Baghdad, Riyadh, Istanbul, Jerba, Nasiriyah or Jakarta," it said, referring to recent bombings.

The Japanese foreign ministry said Japan was investigating the credibility of the threat.

Troops

The warning came as Japan deliberated over whether to send a small contingent of troops to Iraq.

Tokyo had been expected to commit about 150 non-combat troops before the end of the year, but postponed making a decision last week, after a bomb attack that killed 18 Italians.

An opinion poll released on Monday showed that 71% of Japanese people were against sending troops to Iraq, a figure which is up 22 points from August.

One thousand people were canvassed in the poll which was conducted by Nippon Television over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yasuo Fukuda, would not comment on whether the alleged threats from al-Qaeda would affect the issue of troop deployments in Iraq.

"We will continue to draw up a plan, taking into account changes in the situation and any changes in needs," he said.

He also played down the threats in general.

"At times like this, there are many reports," he told a news conference.

"Since 9/11 we have always been on guard. Strictly on guard," he said.

But the economic effect is already being felt.

The Nikkei average fell by 3.74 percent on Monday, although two firms that make gas masks saw their share prices rise by around 20%.