HONOLULU -- Japan has crossed the Rubicon, with surprisingly little opposition at home or abroad, by starting to dispatch armed soldiers to Iraq in their first deployment to a combat zone since World War II.
In a departure ceremony in northern Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba presented the colors, or flags, to a detachment of 500 soldiers standing rank on rank in black berets, camouflaged battle uniforms and black boots.
Their commanding officer, Col. Yasushi Kiyota, told his troops, their families and the dignitaries: "We shall overcome all obstacles, no matter how difficult, and all return safely." Those listening said he emphasized the last point. The Japanese have been tasked to help reconstruct Iraq's damaged and obsolete roads, power plants, water works, schools and hospitals.