Japanese Defence Minister Yuriko Koike praised Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism on Wednesday during a one-day visit to Islamabad and said her country would continue its participation in the international campaign in neighbouring Afghanistan, reported the DPA. "Pakistan is paying a heavy price in the international efforts against terrorism, particularly in terms of the hundreds of lives of its soldiers and citizens lost in terrorist attacks," Koike told reporters after talks with President Pervez Musharraf and other senior officials. Despite opposition in the upper house of the Japanese parliament, the government in Tokyo wants to extend the country's role in counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, in which US-allied Pakistan plays a key role. Its contribution is currently limited to refuelling and other support operations by Japanese ships in the Arabian Sea. The participation was approved by legislators after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States but is due to expire in November. Its renewal is expected to face delays after Japan's centre-left opposition seized control of the upper house in elections last month. But Koike argued that pulling out the naval presence would have harmful consequences for the war on terror and send a negative message to the international community. "Japan's presence in the Arabian Sea is not for the sake of the United States but in order to providing assistance to Pakistan and other countries in the war against terrorism," the minister said. During his talks with Koike, Musharraf noted the strong bilateral ties with Japan in a range of areas, according to state media reports.
