Japan may airlift relief supplies directly to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah instead of Baghdad.
Government sources said Tuesday the Defense Agency had planned for Air Self-Defense Force C-130 transport aircraft now in Kuwait to begin delivering supplies to Baghdad International Airport, which is under the control of U.S.-led forces.
But it is reconsidering the plan due to attacks around the airport by insurgents using mortars and portable guided missiles, according to the sources.
If delivery to Samawah is agreed on, the ASDF will send the supplies to a military airport 80 km from the city and the Ground Self-Defense Force troops will pick up the supplies and transport them by land to Samawah, they said.
The airlift would begin in March when the GSDF troops in Samawah are ready to begin their relief and reconstruction operation there, they said.
An advance team of 30 GSDF members arrived in Samawah last month, and 60 members of the main contingent arrived Sunday.
About 20 members arrived Tuesday, one day behind schedule, because two of their vehicles experienced flat tires and engine trouble on the way.
The GSDF advance team has visited municipal administrators, tribal leaders and hospitals to survey local needs.
The troops found that apart from medical supplies, the city lacks many amenities, including residential water containers.
Japan has deployed a 200-strong ASDF contingent to airlift the relief goods, using three C-130s based in Kuwait. The transport unit began flight drills Monday.
The relief operation will be under the control of U.S. forces.