Across Asia: Japan

Abe risks all over Afghan mission

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began the toughest battle of his political life in a parliament session that opened yesterday after staking his job on extending Japan's naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan.

"The military personnel who are silently doing service on the scorching Indian Ocean embody Japan's international contribution sought by the world," Abe said in a policy speech to parliament.