The United States should cooperate closely with the international community in responding to issues centering on Iraq, Shizuka Kamei, former policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Wednesday.
"When the U.S. acts as the world policeman, it should gain the respect and trust of the citizens of the world," Kamei said in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.
Kamei, making a one-week U.S. tour, said Washington should provide specific evidence that Iraq is a dangerous country and obtain support from Arab countries for military action.
"If those conditions are met, Japan, although there are constitutional restraints, will provide effective support to the U.S.," said Kamei, who served as chairman of the LDP Policy Research Council.
Kamei arrived Monday for talks with U.S. government officials and speeches at think tanks. He will return home Monday.