(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few adults in Japan believe their government should remain committed to the war on terrorism, according to a poll by Yomiuri. Only 29 per cent of respondents support extending Japan’s naval mission in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

Japan did not commit its Self-Defence Forces to combat duties in Afghanistan, but has participated in a naval mission by offering logistical support and fuelling assistance in the Indian Ocean.

In September 2006, Shinzo Abe became the new leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Japan’s 90th prime minister. Abe’s tenure was affected by allegations of corruption, massive clerical errors within the Social Insurance Agency (SIA), embarrassing statements by several cabinet members, and the suicide of agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka.

An election to renew half of the House of Councillors seats took place on Jul. 29. Final results gave the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) 60 of the 121 seats at stake, with the governing LDP winning 37 mandates. The opposition—with 137 seats—now holds a majority in the House of Councillors for the first time since the LDP was founded in 1955.

Earlier this month, Abe vowed to step down if the legislature did not support his proposal to extend Japan’s naval mission in Afghanistan. On Sept. 10, Abe announced his resignation, declaring, "We should seek a continued mission to fight terrorism under a new prime minister."

Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Mizuho Fukushima expressed disappointment with Abe’s actions, saying, "It is irresponsible for him, after he gave a policy speech and was to face Parliament questioning. He should have quit right after the upper house elections."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose extending Japan’s naval mission in Afghanistan?

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