Questions have been raised over how Ground Self-Defense Force members in Iraq would handle themselves if faced with a situation requiring them to use arms against local residents.

The GSDF personnel are authorized to use arms only in self-defense or emergencies, and in principle will be subject to the Japanese judicial process if they injure or kill local residents outside these limits. But there are doubts whether the principle would be observed in practice.

GSDF troops are in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah to provide humanitarian aid and reconstruction assistance. They are equipped with weapons and armored vehicles in case they are attacked.