Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made a fresh vow Thursday to support the United States and actively take part in international efforts to combat terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
In convening the 153rd extraordinary Diet session, Koizumi pledged to swiftly enact laws that will enable the Self-Defense Forces to provide logistic support to the U.S. and multinational forces should they launch a retaliatory attack.
"After I visited the sites of the terrorism attacks, I was filled afresh with strong anger toward such atrocious acts," Koizumi said. "Based on the spirit of international cooperation, let us confront this crisis to protect the peace and liberty of the human race worldwide."