Japan to revise laws to aid US

The Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has ordered a review of laws that restrict the military support Japan can offer to the United States.

The director general of the defence agency General Nakatani said the moves were being taken to boost Japanese support for the US and it was possible that new laws might be introduced.

The Japanese constitution renounces the country's right to use military force to solve international disputes.

The comments came amid local press reports that more than 10 followers of the Saudi exile Osama bin Laden had entered Japan in early September.

Government officials have refused to confirm the reports.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service