NAGOYA — The Air Self-Defense Force's airlifting of multinational combat troops into the war zone of Baghdad is unconstitutional because it is an act integral to other countries' use of force, the Nagoya High Court ruled in a suit Thursday.
Government officials said the ruling will not halt the ASDF deployment to Kuwait for the airlift mission because Tokyo considers that where the troops are being flown — Baghdad airport — is outside the combat zone.
The lawsuit was brought by some 1,100 citizens who wanted the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq to be suspended and the government to pay damages. But their demands were rejected, and the plaintiffs do not plan to appeal.