New Party in Japan Prompts US Anxiety

Election winners threaten to veto anti-terror measures
By Heather McPherson,  Newser User
Posted Aug 1, 2007 1:41 PM CDT
New Party in Japan Prompts US Anxiety
Election campaign worker for the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, distributes manifesto written by the party leader Ichiro Ozawa in Narashino, east of Tokyo, Tuesday, July 24, 2007. The political life of Ozawa, has been marked by missed opportunities and unfulfilled expectations. Sunday,...   (Associated Press)

The ruling party’s losses in Japanese elections last week are causing worry in the White House and the Pentagon, says the Financial Times. An anti-terror measure that that has allowed Japanese ships to refuel American vessels is set to expire in November, and the Democratic Party of Japan is threatening to use its newfound control of the upper house to veto its renewal.

The American ambassador is urgently seeking a meeting with the victorious opposition leader, saying "it would be unfortunate" if election results "spilled over into issues that hopefully Japan looks upon in a non-partisan way." The DPJ has promised to fight PM Shinzo Abe at every turn, hoping to force a call for early general elections. (More Democratic Party of Japan stories.)

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