scoone
01-16-2004, 09:08 AM
TOKYO (*******) - A team of Japanese soldiers left for Iraq on Friday as police, on alert for terrorist attacks, tightened security ahead of what may become Japan's riskiest overseas military mission since World War II.
After a series of send-off ceremonies in Tokyo, about 30 members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, as Japan's army is called, left for southeastern Iraq, an advance unit of a force that could include up to 1,000 troops.
"You're the pride of the Japanese people, the pride of the nation. I hope that you will complete your mission safely," Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, at times appearing almost overcome by emotion, told 180 soldiers -- including those leaving on Friday and others to join them later.
The dispatch marks a historic shift from Japan's purely defensive post-war security policy and poses a big political risk for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Koizumi says Japan, as a member of the international community, has a responsibility to help in Iraq.
But the public is largely against sending the troops and the government could face a backlash if there are casualties.
About 100 relatives and top military brass attended the send-off ceremony. Most family members appeared cheerful, chatting and snapping pictures of the soldiers with their camera-phones.
A few demonstrators passed out leaflets near the defense ministry criticizing the dispatch.
Police kept them apart from a small group of right-wing activists who were shouting: "Japanese troops, do your best."
Critics say sending the troops violates Japan's pacifist constitution.
After a series of send-off ceremonies in Tokyo, about 30 members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, as Japan's army is called, left for southeastern Iraq, an advance unit of a force that could include up to 1,000 troops.
"You're the pride of the Japanese people, the pride of the nation. I hope that you will complete your mission safely," Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, at times appearing almost overcome by emotion, told 180 soldiers -- including those leaving on Friday and others to join them later.
The dispatch marks a historic shift from Japan's purely defensive post-war security policy and poses a big political risk for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Koizumi says Japan, as a member of the international community, has a responsibility to help in Iraq.
But the public is largely against sending the troops and the government could face a backlash if there are casualties.
About 100 relatives and top military brass attended the send-off ceremony. Most family members appeared cheerful, chatting and snapping pictures of the soldiers with their camera-phones.
A few demonstrators passed out leaflets near the defense ministry criticizing the dispatch.
Police kept them apart from a small group of right-wing activists who were shouting: "Japanese troops, do your best."
Critics say sending the troops violates Japan's pacifist constitution.