The Democratic Party of Japan has decided that if it wins the election it will focus on contributing personnel in Afghanistan after letting the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean run out in January, DPJ sources said Sunday.
If he becomes prime minister, party leader Yukio Hatoyama is planning to visit the United States to attend the U.N. General Assembly in September, where he would also meet with President Barack Obama to explain the new policy.
Hatoyama said last month the party would end the refueling mission by the Maritime Self-Defense Force in January, when the law for the mission expires.
The envisioned personnel contributions to Afghanistan would primarily consist of government and private-sector officials, with party policy chief Masayuki Naoshima saying, "While it will be difficult to have the Self-Defense Forces operate on the ground, we could provide support centering on civilian sectors."
Meanwhile, Hatoyama suggested Sunday the DPJ will consider turning Japan's stated three nonnuclear principles into law. These are not producing, possessing or allowing nuclear weapons on Japanese territory.
"It is important to follow the three principles, and I think legislation is one option," Hatoyama said during a meeting with hibakusha on the 64th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. "I promise that our party will consider it."