The government has extended by another year the deployment of Self-Defense Force (SDF) troops in Iraq. The extension, decided at Thursday's Cabinet meeting, came about by changing the basic plan under an ad hoc law that allows SDF soldiers to engage in noncombat activities in Iraq. The decision follows a similar one made last year and reflects Washington's wishes.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has consistently and staunchly supported the United States since the start of the war in Iraq, had effectively promised to extend deployment in a recent meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush. He reportedly told Mr. Bush that he would make the decision by taking into account the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
In an effort to mitigate public concern over the extension of the SDF troop deployment in Iraq, the government last weekend had Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga make a surprise inspection visit to Samawah.