Frustration is mounting within the Ground Self-Defense Force, with personnel still in the dark -- at least officially -- over the timing, location and purpose of their expected mission to Iraq before the end of the year.

When the nation's military has previously been dispatched overseas to join U.N.-authorized peacekeeping operations, the Cabinet Office has issued the Defense Agency with an order to prepare the SDF for these missions.

These procedures have included the selection of units to be sent, vaccination against possible diseases and the purchase of necessary equipment, according to the GSDF.