The New York Times-20080125-Japan- Afghan Refueling Mission Resumes- -Brief-

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Japan: Afghan Refueling Mission Resumes; [Brief]

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The navy destroyer Murasame left Yokosuka, to be joined by a tanker, to resume a refueling mission in the Indian Ocean as part of the American-led military effort in Afghanistan. Japan had performed the largely symbolic mission since 2001 but was forced to abandon it last fall when a divisive battle in Parliament caused a three-month suspension that was later overturned. Japan will fulfill its global responsibilities, Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a send-off ceremony attended by about 200 people.