Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, meeting Saturday with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, vowed to do his utmost to continue Japan's antiterrorism refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, a Japanese official said. In the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing, Gillani expressed appreciation for Japan's refueling support and told Aso he hopes Japan continues the mission; the official was quoted as saying by Kyodo news agency. A bill to extend Japan's mission in support of U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and near Afghanistan through to the next year beyond the expiry date of the current mission on Jan. 15 is being deliberated in the Diet. Gilani said Pakistan will cooperate with other countries to continue its fight against terrorism, and Aso expressed Japan's support for the country, saying it is important to help developing countries amid the severe global economic situation, the official said.
