The Democratic party of Japan, the main opposition, is likely this month to come up with counter proposals to the government’s preferred option of continuing to refuel ships in the Indian Ocean as part of US-led anti-terrorism operations.

Parliamentary authority for the operations, arguments over which led indirectly to the collapse of the administration of Shinzo Abe, expires on November 1. When budget deliberations end this month the governing Liberal Democratic party is expected to propose a limited renewal of two years, restricting naval vessels to supplying fuel and water.