The Self-Defense Forces troops deployed in Iraq have served Japan's national interests, strengthened the Japan-U.S. alliance and enabled the nation to carry out its responsibilities as a member of the international community, Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba said in an annual agency report released Tuesday.
The report, approved by the day's regular Cabinet meeting, also states that overseas activities conducted by the SDF over the last decade, including those in Iraq, "are well appreciated both at home and abroad."
It suggests the agency will seek to make international contributions a main duty of the SDF, along with national defense.