TOKYO — Japan approved legislation today to extend a refueling mission in support of U.S.-led anti-terror operations in the Indian Ocean for another year.

The approval by parliament allows Japan's navy to continue the mission until January 2010.

The lower house had endorsed the extension in October, but voted again today to override the bill's rejection earlier in the day by the opposition-controlled upper house. Prime Minister Taro Aso's ruling Liberal Democratic Party controls the more powerful lower house, which can override the other chamber.

The mission also serves Japan's own national interests by protecting the region's sea lanes since the energy-poor country depends heavily on oil from the Middle East, he added.

The refueling mission began in 2001 to support U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan. Japan briefly suspended it late last year after the opposition blocked its extension. Since January, the mission has been limited to refueling vessels making antiterrorism patrols in the Indian Ocean.

Japan announced last month it will end its airlift operations in Iraq by the end of the year.