The Friday extension of the special law to continue the Maritime Self-Defense Force refueling mission in the Indian Ocean will prolong Japan's involvement in global antiterrorism efforts but both supporters and critics of the action agree the nation still has little to show for its efforts on the world stage.
"There are numerous tasks for Japan in the fight against terrorism. Extending the law is not the final answer," said Yoshimitsu Nishikawa, a professor of international relations at Toyo University.
MSDF ships gave 10,940 kiloliters of fuel to warships from the United States, France, Pakistan and others operating in the Indian Ocean in fiscal 2008.