Huge News. We know the decider guy threw a hissy fit the other day when Congress wouldn't give him a new play-mate. So, what's the cry-baby in a cowboy hat going to say when he learns that a close ally is packing up the toy boats and heading home?
TOKYO — Japan ordered its naval ships to withdraw from a mission backing U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan as a deadline to extend the activities was set to expire on Thursday.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has been struggling against a resurgent opposition to enact a new bill to allow Japan's navy to keep providing free fuel for U.S. and other ships patrolling the Indian Ocean, a mission seen as vital by close ally Washington.
Peace matters to plenty of folks in Japan. Living with the history of Japanese war crimes and with the bombings inflicted on Japan has left many here with a clear sense that war must be avoided at all costs. The failure of LDP, center-right government to get a new bill passed is a direct result of the efforts of the forces of peace.
Japan's main opposition Democratic Party and its small allies, which now control parliament's upper house and can delay legislation, have vowed to vote against the new bill.
Japan's right is sure to scream. But for the moment it looks as though the good guys are winning. In a clear sign of the strain the never-ending US war in Iraq is placing on US relations with key allies, Japan ordered an end to operations in the Indian ocean in support of the mission in Afghanistan.
The Japanese supply ship Tokiwa performed its last refuelling operation under current enabling legislation on Monday.
With the law set to expire at midnight, Mr. Ishiba ordered Tokiwa and an accompanying destroyer to head home.
Opposition to SDF Maritime operations brought down the government of Shinzo Abe just months ago. Abe resigned rather than try to overcome opposition to continuing operations in support of Afghanistan.
UPDATE: Welshman covers this, too.