TOKYO: Japan's incoming prime minister Yasuo Fukuda yesterday extended a hand of dialogue to the opposition in a bid to extend a controversial military mission supporting US-led forces in Afghanistan.

Striking a conciliatory tone, Fukuda, in his first news conference since his party election, said that dialogue with the opposition Democratic Party of Japan will be "essential" for his government.

"Japan is now facing a very difficult time not only due to the issue of the anti-terrorism legislation, but also over the issues of the pension system and other social welfare systems," he said.

"Under such circumstances, it is essential to hold talks with the DPJ, which is now the largest party holding power in the upper house," he said.

The opposition has threatened to use its new power to block key legislation - including a bill allowing participation in the "war on terror," under which Japanese ships refuel US-led forces operating in Afghanistan.

DPJ secretary general Yukio Hatoyama in a statement congratulated Fukuda on succeeding Abe in the vote by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), but pressed for new elections.

Meanwhile, the hospitalised former prime minister Shinzo Abe apologised yesterday for creating a political vacuum after he abruptly announced his resignation earlier this month.

Abe failed to attend a meeting of his ruling LDP, which picked Fukuda as his successor.

l Gunmen ambushed a convoy in Badakshan, northern Afghanistan yesterday, killing eight policemen and four civilians, while a Taliban attack in the south left 13 others dead, three of them guards, officials said.

In another development, two Italian soldiers have gone missing in western Afghanistan after losing contact with their command, the Italian defence ministry said yesterday.