Little change expected in Japan-U.S. relationship

OSAKA — Those who keep close watch on Japan's political and defense ties with the U.S. expect no major changes in the fundamental security relationship under Yasuo Fukuda.

At the same time, doubts among experts are growing that Fukuda will be able to get an extension of Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean and questions remain over how much headway he will make on the realignment of U.S. bases.

There had been concerns in the U.S. that Fukuda — considered more of a dove on foreign policy than his opponent in Sunday's contest for the prime ministership, Taro Aso, and closer to China and South Korea — would de-emphasize Tokyo's relationship with Washington in favor of East Asia. But most experts say there is no reason for such concerns.