Among the 550 Ground Self-Defense Force troops in the first deployment to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah were five men in green fatigues armed with musical instruments.

The musicians were one small effort by the GSDF to build good relations in Samawah amid the violent conflict sweeping other parts of Iraq.

Unlike the peacekeeping operations Japan has taken part in over the last decade, there was no United Nations umbrella for the GSDF troops when they landed in Iraq. That meant the contingent has had to go it alone in building working relations with the local people.