TOKYO - Japan will end its naval refueling mission in support of U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan next January, officials said Tuesday.
Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said Japan would pull out its two naval ships from the Indian Ocean operation when their current mandate expires in January. The refueling mission began in 2001.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took office last month, has opposed the mission, saying Japan should take other measures to help Afghanistan restore peace.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said Japan is studying what other contributions would be best for the region and hoped to come up with a proposal within weeks.
"We believe that civilian support for the people's livelihood in that country, such as agricultural reconstruction, would lead to a fundamental solution to what constitutes the basis of terrorism," Hirano said.
He said Japan wanted to decide on a comprehensive plan before President Barack Obama's scheduled visit Nov. 12-13.
Over the weekend, Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made a surprise visit to the Afghan capital, Kabul, to meet with President Hamid Karzai and other officials to discuss how Japan can help to stabilize the country.
Japan has committed to paying all Afghan police salaries for six months and is funding a number of infrastructure, agriculture and education projects.
In a speech last week to foreign journalists in Tokyo, Okada emphasized the need to understand why some people are drawn to the Taliban. He said Japan wanted to address economic issues by providing income support and vocational training programs.
