Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi denied Tuesday that a plan to dispatch Japanese troops to participate in the fight against terrorism would trigger uncertainty among Asian countries concerned over a revival of Japan's militarist past.
"Japan's stance on the terrorist attacks in the United States is designed to join the framework of international efforts to root out terrorism," Koizumi told the lower house of parliament.
"Therefore, it will not be a factor to make the Asian region uncertain," the premier said.
But Koizumi stressed that Tokyo would pay attention to Asian reactions when it sends troops in support of an expected US retaliation against the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11.
"Considering the importance of friendly relations with neighboring countries, including China and South Korea, we have been explaining to Asian nations about our country's stance appropriately," he said.
"We have been paying attention to responses from China and South Korea," Koizumi also told parliament's upper house earlier in the day.
The premier made the remarks after opposition lawmakers said that his decision to send troops to help in the planned US retaliation raised concerns over a revival of Japan's militarism among Asian countries.
Last month, Koizumi promised US President George W. Bush that Japan would provide non-combat assistance, such as medical treatment, transport and supplies in Washington's campaign against terror.
But he has also said Japan would not contravene its post-war pacifist constitution, which bars the use of force to settle international disputes.
"Why did Japan wage the war? It was because Japan was isolated from the international community," Koizumi said.
"Japan is now to take responsibility as a member of the international community in accordance with the strength of our country," he said. "But we will not take forceful action."
Last week, China urged Japan to be "prudent" in sending troops overseas.
The issue of Japan taking military action was a "very sensitive" one due to the country's history, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Thursday in Beijing.
"In the fight against terrorism, the international community faces a common task," he said.
"On the other hand ... due to historical reasons, it's quite obvious that the role that the Japanese government can play in the military field is a very sensitive question and should be dealt with in a prudent manner."
China considers itself to have been a main victim of Japanese imperialism in the years before and during World War II, and reacts with extreme ire at anything it considers glosses over Japan's militarist past.
Japanese soldiers waged a brutal full-scale war in China from 1937 to 1945, during which millions of Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed -- TOKYO (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
