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Japan PM asks for more discipline Japan official denies wrongdoing
(about 3 hours later)
Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda has called for greater discipline from military and defence officials, following a series of embarrassing revelations. A former Japanese defence official has expressed regret for "inappropriate" close ties with a defence contractor.
Mr Fukuda's comments come as questions are being raised over the close ties between a former deputy defence minister and a defence contractor. Takemasa Moriya admitted playing golf more than 200 times with an official from Yamada Corporation, but denied giving the firm any preferential deals.
There is also controversy over the amount of fuel the navy supplies to US-led forces in Afghanistan. Separately, Japan's military is under fire after allegations emerged that fuel was secretly diverted to help a US mission during 2003.
There is speculation that some fuel is diverted to help US operations in Iraq. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the problems were "highly deplorable".
The scandals are not only denting support for Mr Fukuda, but they could also affect his plan to renew Japan's mission to supply fuel to coalition ships in the Indian Ocean. On Sunday, at a ceremony to mark the 57th anniversary of Japan's military, he called for greater discipline among military and defence officials.
Golfing ties
Mr Moriya, a former vice defence minister, admitted to parliament that his links with Yamada were "extremely inappropriate".
He said he had played golf with the contractor, a long-time friend, to relieve the stresses of his job - which he held for four years until he stepped down in August.
Mr Fukuda wants to renew Japan's Indian Ocean refuelling missions
But throughout intense questioning, he denied giving Yamada any preferential treatment as a result of the connection.
He also denied any links to the other scandal currently affecting Japan's defence ministry, the allegations about possible diversions of fuel to US military missions.
The ministry recently admitted that it had misreported the amount of fuel supplied by Japan to support a US warship.
It said that in 2003 it actually provided three million litres (800,000 gallons) when it had previously reported 750,000 litres.
The mistake fanned rumours about a possible diversion of fuel ships to aid US operations in Iraq.
The scandals are not only denting support for Mr Fukuda and his government, but they could also affect his plan to renew Japan's mission to supply fuel to coalition ships in the Indian Ocean.
The current law enabling the mission expires on 1 November, and renewing this legislation was one of Mr Fukuda's key priorities when he took over the leadership from Shinzo Abe late last month.The current law enabling the mission expires on 1 November, and renewing this legislation was one of Mr Fukuda's key priorities when he took over the leadership from Shinzo Abe late last month.
Golf games questioned The plans have to be approved by parliament, but the opposition - which controls parliament's upper house - can delay the legislation, and is keen to use the current scandals to try to alter the bill.
The government confirmed earlier in October that it had massively under-reported the amount of fuel that had been provided to a US warship in 2003.
"It is truly deplorable that there have been problems concerning maintaining discipline and managing intelligence in recent years," said Mr Fukuda at a ceremony to mark the 57th anniversary of Japan's military.
Japan's cabinet has approved an anti-terrorism bill that will allow its navy to continue the refuelling missions.
The plans now have to be approved by parliament, but the opposition disagrees with the mission and is likely to block it unless a compromise can be found.
Former deputy defence minister Takemasa Moriya faces questions in parliament on Monday over dozens of golf games he played with a former senior official of Yamada Corp, a military contractor.