Following Diet approval of bills to implement Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi took time to appease international unease.

"Some foreign countries are highly concerned about the bills," Obuchi told reporters. "I would like to stress that the bills are for Japan's peace and security and we must deepen understanding of those foreign nations in this aspect."

Obuchi called passage of the bills "truly significant," expressed hope that the nation will fully understand the event's importance and said it will allow Japan and the U.S. to further strengthen ties.

Hirohisa Fujii, Secretary General of the Liberal Party, also welcomed the Diet's action and expressed his confidence it will boost Japan's peace and security in and around Japan.

He added that the Liberal Party will make further efforts to legislate a law on the controversial issue of inspecting unidentified ships.

During Diet deliberation, the Liberal Democratic Party, its coalition partner, the Liberal Party, and New Komeito removed a clause from one of the bills concerning ship inspections -- a major point of contention -- and agreed to make it a separate piece of legislation, thus enabling the remainder of the bills to clear the lower chamber.

Naoto Kan, head of the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, expressed a dissatisfaction with the bills.

He pointed out that the three parties removed the clause in a hasty move to gain Lower House passage before Obuchi's visit to the United States late last month.

New Komeito deputy head Chikara Sakaguchi, meanwhile voiced support for the new laws and expressed hope that they will bring better efficiency to any joint Japan-U.S. defense operations.

He added that the government should continue trying to gain the public's understanding of the new laws.

Concerning legislation on the issue of inspecting unidentified ship, however, Sakaguchi said he is uncertain if the three parties can reach a conclusion by the end of the month.

During their first meeting last week, the parties agreed to try to conclude the discussions by the end of this month so the ship inspections bill can be passed during the current Diet session.