Japan will make "utmost efforts" to resume its logistic support for the U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday.

Gates' visit to Tokyo comes a week after the special law on antiterrorism cooperation expired Nov. 1, forcing Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba to withdraw two Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels from the Indian Ocean, where they were refueling coalition ships taking part in the multinational mission.

Gates also met later in the day with Ishiba, who told a joint news conference with the Pentagon chief that resumption of the MSDF mission "serves Japan's national interests and is (Japan's) responsibility for the international community."