米同時多発テロを受けて、9月25日、小泉首相が急きょ訪米した。同日開かれた日米首脳会談で、小泉首相は米国と連帯でテロ根絶のため、確固とした態度で臨むことを確約した。
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with U.S. President George W. Bush on Sept. 25 and pledged that Japan will "stand firmly" by the United States in its war against international terrorism.
Koizumi also promised that the Japanese government will cooperate with Washington as much as possible, short of using military force.
"We, Japanese, firmly stand by the United States to fight terrorism," Koizumi told reporters.
The Japanese leader underscored his message to the U.S. media by speaking in English.
A U.S. administration official quoted Bush as saying in the meeting with Koizumi that he understands that Japan's war-renouncing Constitution keeps it from committing combat troops. But Bush remarked that in the "war" on terrorism, cutting funding to terrorists is just as important as the use of military force.
Japan's activities are outlined in a seven-point package of actions, which includes taking steps to allow the Self-Defense Forces to provide logistical support to an anticipated U.S. military retaliation.
New legislation is expected to be submitted during the next extraordinary Diet session to allow the SDF to take part in backup activities such as medical services, transportation and the supply of goods.