Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi renewed his pledge Wednesday to dispatch Self-Defense Forces units to Iraq even if the security situation is not completely stable.
During a session of the House of Councilors Budget Committee, Koizumi said Japan's commitment toward the reconstruction of Iraq is now being tested.
"Can we really say we are taking our responsibility as the second largest economy in the world by doing nothing until (Iraq) becomes completely safe?" Koizumi ventured in response to questions by Satsuki Eda, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Japan.