Japan plans to station two Self-Defense Forces officials at the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla., as liaison officers, Japanese and U.S. government sources said Wednesday.
The dispatch is designed to give the SDF prompt information on moves of the U.S. Central Command, which would be responsible for U.S. military operations against Iraq if President George W. Bush orders an attack.
"To quickly get information about U.S. military moves and make an appropriate policy decision, it is essential for Japan to send SDF officials to the U.S. Central Command," a Japanese source said.
At the same time, however, the dispatch of SDF officials to the U.S. Central Command could raise the possibility that Japan would be requested to provide full support to the U.S. military in the event of an attack on Iraq.