Japan is considering using military aircraft to deliver relief supplies to Afghan refugees as an alternative to its naval mission supporting US-led operations in Afghanistan, a report said Sunday.
Newly elected Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama plans to end the Indian Ocean naval refuelling mission, which expires in January.
The alternative plan would use C-130 transport aircraft to deliver food, tents and other supplies to the estimated 1.8 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the Japanese business daily Nikkei reported, without naming sources.
After talks with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the United States, Hatoyama said he would move quickly to find a way to provide support to Afghanistan as it is a top goal of Obama's.
"I'm aware that the Afghan issue should come first," Hatoyama said. "Our coalition government needs to show a reasonable course on Afghanistan -- one of the two biggest subjects."
Obama is currently considering a request from the military to send more US troops to Afghanistan.
During a meeting with Obama on Wednesday, Hatoyama proposed fresh support for Afghanistan such as job training for former soldiers in the country as a possible alternative to the refuelling mission.
While in opposition, his party briefly forced a halt to the naval mission, arguing that Japan -- officially pacifist since World War II -- should not abet "American wars."
{{/usCountry}}While in opposition, his party briefly forced a halt to the naval mission, arguing that Japan -- officially pacifist since World War II -- should not abet "American wars."
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