Japan May Back Out of Sending Military Forces To Iraq

Following the suicide bomb attack at Nasiriya, Iraq, Kyodo News reported on November 13 that the Japanese government appears to be backing out of its previously announced plans to dispatch armed forces to Iraq this year.

At the press conference, self-defense minister and government spokesperson Fukuda Yasuo said, “The self-defense forces can be sent if the situation permits, but the situation in Iraq is worse than we had expected.” He also added, “We want to take part in the reconstruction project as soon as possible. However, the precise timing of our participation in the project will depend on the political situation and the evolving circumstances.”

His comments suggest that the Japanese government will not send its troops to Iraq unless the security situation improves. Japan was slated to dispatch 1000 ground troops to Samawar, in southern Iraq, by the end of this year.

Minister Fukuda made it clear that an expert group of inspectors scheduled to investigate the security conditions in Iraq and those calling for the additional force would be dispatched as planned, saying, “There are many options regarding deployment of troops. We are considering the many ways to respond to the changing situation.”

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com