Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the country’s mission of refuelling military planes in the Indian Ocean should be prolonged, despite criticism from opposition members.

Currently, Japanese vessels are providing assistance to aircrafts engaged in operations in Afghanistan, most of them being US planes. Washington said these activities are vital and urged Japan to extend the mission after it expires on November 1.

Abe said the operation must continue because it is Japan’s obligation as a member of the international community and he will try to convince lawmakers to pass another law that would allow Navy vessels to continue assisting anti-terrorism operations.

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which is the largest party in the House of Councillors and main opposition party, reiterated it will oppose an extension of the Afghan mission.

DJP members said Japan doesn’t have military troops in the Middle Eastern country and any other missions would represent a violation of the pacifist constitution and foreign policy.

After seeing he will have a hard time passing a new bill, Abe threatened to resign if the government doesn’t approve the law. On Monday Abe adopted a different stance, saying he stay in office and continue reforms initiated.

The premier said he won’t give in under pressure exerted by opposition parties who condemn him for failing to end political instability plaguing the government.

“I have decided to stay in office because I need to lead Japan out of its postwar regime at all costs,” he said.

Abe acknowledged he was unable to tilt up the government’s plummeting popularity and that reflected in the July Upper House elections, where his Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner New Komeito lost majority.

He pledged to bring several changes to the economic policy and facilitate foreign investments. The premier also said the pension program will be revised and past problems resolved in a short period.

Government officials were accused of benefiting from large sums of money coming from approximately 50 million misplaced pension payments.

Since the new government was formed last year, scandals continued to shatter the administration. Five ministers resigned after being dragged into corruption scandals, prompting Abe to reshuffle his cabinet last month as a last resort to gain the population’s confidence.