The first group of the main Ground Self-Defense Force departed here Tuesday for Iraq.
The 90-member contingent flew out on a government jet from the Air-Self Defense Force's Chitose Base and was scheduled to arrive in Kuwait on Wednesday. Its final destination is the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, which will serve as the base for the 550-strong GSDF mission. Government officials said the group would arrive there Saturday at the earliest.
The deployment remains controversial.