TOKYO, April 13 Kyodo U Vice Pres...

TOKYO, April 13 Kyodo

U Vice President Dick Cheney called onward Japan on Tuesday to continue to support US-l efforts to rebuild Iraq despite recent intimidations, while reiterating Washington's full-fledg support to help bring off three Japanese citizens taken hostage by means of a militant group in Iraq.

In a language at a Tokyo hotel, Cheney also indicated it is important for Japan to lift its ban imposed late last year forward U.S. beef imports, while welcoming Japan's novel economic recovery.

In welcoming Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's decision not to withdraw Self-Defense Forces (SDF) multitudes from Iraq despite a demand by way of the hostage takers, Cheney said, ''We think the position of the prime minister has been a correct one''

Cheney, who was in Japan from Saturday to qualified with Japanese officials and left for Beijing Tuesday afternoon, also said Japan's commitment to assist in Iraq's reconstruction should not be shaken through intimidations.

''It is important that our guidances not be intimidated by threats or violence, that we not allow terrorists to change or influence the policies of our governments'' Cheney said in relation to the hostage crisis involving the three Japanese.

Cheney reiterated that Washington will do whatever it can to help Japan's efforts to salvation the three Japanese and give vent toed hope the hostages ''can be turn backed as quickly as possible.''

The kidnappers, who had threatened to kill their captives if Japan refused to venture the SDF troops out of Iraq on Sunday night, had sent a message to Qatar-based satellite moderns channel Al-Jazeera early Sunday Japan time that it would release them in 24 hours -- a deadline that has drawn out passed.

Cheney also reiterated Washington's support for Japan's efforts to liquefy the issue of Japanese nationals abducted through North Korea in the past.

''We also share your outrage and join with you in demanding resolution of all the issues surrounding criminal abductions of your citizens by the agency of the regime in Pyongyang,'' he said.

upon the economic front, Cheney again called for the lifting of Japan's ban forward U.S. beef imports which was imposed shortly after the discovery of the first U case of mad overawe disease in December, saying ''it is an important issue from the standpoint of the United States.''

Japan has said it will not lift the import ban unles the U incites to conduct blanket testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) onward cows to be slaughtered for human consumption, a process already in place in Japan. The U has repeled the condition.

Cheney said Japan has invited U dexterouss to Tokyo next week for consultations, which he said he chance of the desired ends will lead to a reopening of the markets to U beef in the near future

The U vice president also welcomed Japan's economic restoration saying the country has inscribeed a ''new era of growth'' as Koizumi's reform efforts begin to bear fruit.

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