일본 중의원은 9일 본회의에서 10일까지 정해진 이번 회기를 12월15일까지 35일 연장하는 데 합의했습니다.
일본 집권 자민당이 장악한 하원 의회는 이번 회기 안에 해상자위대의 인도양 급유 활동 연장 법안을 통과시킬 계획입니다. 그러나 야당인 민주당이 장악한 상원에서의 통과 여부는 불확실 합니다.
한편, 방일 중인 미국의 로버트 게이츠 국방장관은 9일 일본이 해상자위대의 임무를 재개할 것을 거듭 촉구했습니다.
Japanese lawmakers have extended their legislative session as both houses of parliament (the Diet) consider whether to restart a naval mission in support of U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.
Lawmakers voted today (Friday) to extend the session by 35 days to December 15th.
A bill to extend the naval mission is expected to be approved in Japan's powerful lower house, which is controlled by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner (the New Komeito Party). But it faces an uncertain future in the upper house, controlled by the opposition Democratic Party.
The naval mission was suspended last week when its mandate expired.
Visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates today pressed Japan to resume the mission.
Since 2001, Japanese ships in the Indian Ocean have been supplying fuel to vessels that support U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.
Opposition lawmakers contend the mission violates Japan's pacifist constitution.