PITTSBURGH (Kyodo) Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Friday he has no intention of simply extending Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S.-led antiterrorism operations after the law authorizing it expires in January, and that his government is looking to help in a way that is beneficial to both the Afghan people and the United States.
"I would like to carry out support steps (for Afghanistan) that are most desired," Hatoyama said during a press conference in Pittsburgh, where he took part in last week's Group of 20 financial summit. He added that humanitarian aid such as farming assistance and vocational training may be possible.
On the issue of realigning U.S. forces in Japan, Hatoyama said: "I understand that no minute can be wasted when we think about sentiment in Okinawa. I will find an answer within a certain time frame, taking into consideration the feelings of people in the prefecture."