Japanese Opposition to Vote Down Refueling Bill in Upper House

Text of report in English by Japan’s largest news agency Kyodo

Tokyo, Jan. 9 Kyodo – The main opposition Democratic Party of Japan told other opposition parties Wednesday of its plan to vote down a government-proposed bill to resume Japan’s refueling mission in the Indian Ocean in the opposition-controlled House of Councillors later this week, opposition lawmakers said.

The move is expected to lead to the rejection of the bill by an upper house committee Thursday and at a plenary session Friday, prompting Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda’s ruling camp to hold a second vote in the more powerful House of Representatives to pass it, which will mean the bill’s enactment into law.

Originally published by Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 0818 9 Jan 08.

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