Fro the Yomiuri Shimbun: Fukuda urges DPJ to discuss MSDF mission.

     Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda called on the Democratic Party of Japan to enter discussions on the extension of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, likely by compiling another law to extend the operation.

     "To make a new law is one way. I think the overall direction is rather going that way," Fukuda said during a press conference held after the formation of his new Cabinet. "If so, we may explain it before [the submission of a bill for the new law] to the opposition parties to win their understanding, or we can discuss it in the Diet."

     The LDP's comittment to continuing Japan's support and Participation in the Global War on Terror is comendable, but the stubborness of the DPJ remains a stumbling block.  I hope that the instalationof Fukuda as PM can break negotiations loose between the two parties.  But if the DPJ refuses to play a part in reaching a compromise solution it is likely then that Fukuda will simply use his control of the lower house of the Diet to ra through a bill over the objections of the upper house.  He has the politiacl capital to due so that Abe had lost when this issue first reared its head last month.

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