Taro Aso, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, indicated Sunday that Japan should support the United States -- even in the absence a new U.N. Security Council resolution -- should it lead an attack on Iraq.
"In terms of priorities, we have to weigh heavily on the Japan-U.S. security treaty concerning the security of Japan . . . as the United Nations will not protect us," Aso said in a TV debate with other party leaders.
"It would be better if such a situation could be avoided," Aso said. "(But) if we have to use force to protect Japan, the Japan-U.S. security treaty will be a very important factor."