SINGAPORE: Japan has decided to carry forward the activities of its Maritime Self Defence Force (MSDF) in the Indian Ocean region, in support of the U.S.-led `anti-terror' coalition in Afghanistan, beyond the present deadline of May 1.

The planned extension by six months will be co-terminus with the extended validity of a relevant special law under Japan's `pacifist' Constitution.

Japan's new act of raising its profile, even if timed in the context of a looming expiry date for the current operations in the Indian Ocean area, acquires importance in the unfolding context of a zooming focus on Tokyo's new proactive role of `peace-building' on the international stage.

As an active participant in the operations related to the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative, Japan's MSDF is already a maritime player outside its immediate environment.

The MSDF, as Japan's Navy is designated under the country's `anti-war' Constitution that dates back to the MacArthur era, has been performing `non-combat' tasks such as logistic support for the U.S. and other military forces that are carrying out a variety of offensive operations inside Afghanistan.

Official statistics show that Japan has, until the end of last month, carried out over 500 refuelling operations in aid of military vessels from 11 countries including the U.S. The Japanese ships have also used Indian port facilities for purposes with no combat connotation.

Japan's initial participation in this `anti-terror' mission predates the Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi's controversial despatch of units belonging to all the three wings of the SDF in aid of the U.S.-led military forces in Iraq.

The SDF units in Iraq, engaged in `reconstruction' activities not amounting to actual combat duties, have been functioning under Japan's own chain of national command since the recent "transfer of sovereignty" to the Iraqi people.

Announcing the latest move, the Director-General of Japan's Defence Agency, Yoshinori Ono, said at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday that "as a member of the peace-loving international community and within the framework of international cooperation, it is but natural that we do all we can to eradicate terrorism."

The special two-year law, providing for such `logistical' support to the U.S. by means of an actual deployment of Japanese naval vessels in the Indian Ocean area, in October 2001, marking the first time ever that Tokyo took a proactive military step outside the framework of the United Nations peace-keeping missions.

This law, not to be confused with a subsequent special legislation for Japan's military involvement in Iraq, was first passed in the context of the terrorist blitzkrieg against U.S. targets in September 2001.

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