The Lower House began deliberating a bill Tuesday to enable the Maritime Self-Defense Force to continue refueling naval ships in the Indian Ocean engaged in counterterrorism operations.
The mood was tense amid the outcry over the Defense Ministry's underreporting of fuel that Japan provided to a U.S. warship four years ago.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said during the Lower House plenary session that he has ordered the ministry to take firm action against those who mishandled the fuel supply underreporting and to ensure such mistakes don't recur.