Japan's Cabinet extends military mission to Iraq

[Thom Little]

Japan's Cabinet on Thursday approved the extension of the country's troop deployment in Iraq for one year, paving the way for the government to prolong Tokyo's largest military mission since World War II.

Japan deployed about 600 troops to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on a humanitarian mission in early 2004 as part of the U.S.-led coalition. The one-year renewal extends the deployment -- due to expire next week -- to Dec. 14, 2006.

The extension, however, does not require the troops to remain in Iraq for the full year, and local media have reported that Tokyo intends to pull out around the middle of next year as opposition to the mission rises in Japan.

Eager to raise Japan's international profile, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's government has been a strong supporter of the U.S.-led invasion and has argued strenuously to keep the troops there to help reconstruct the country.



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