smilingassassin

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4081011.stm

Japan extends Iraq troop mission

Japan's cabinet has agreed its troops will stay in Iraq for another year, despite public unease about the risks.

The extension, until December 2005, was decided after consultation with the two main parties in the ruling coalition.

About 550 Japanese troops are currently in Iraq, on a non-combat mission to aid reconstruction efforts.

Japan's post-war constitution renounces war, and this is the nation's first mission since 1945 to a country where fighting is underway.

Many Japanese opposed the plan to send the troops in the first place, fearing they could get drawn into the conflict.

Confed999

Good for them. Every little bit counts...

__________________
No man is free until all men are free - John Hossack
I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq-John Kerry
even if that enforcement is mostly at the hands of the United States, a right we retain even if the Security Council fails to act-John Kerry
He may even miscalculate and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States. It’s the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat-John Kerry

smilingassassin

It gets better for japan...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4084249.stm

Japan reviews military policies

Sending troops to Iraq has already stretched Japan's constitution
Japan has revised its defence policy, to take account of what it sees as the world's changing security situation.

Under guidelines approved in cabinet on Friday, North Korea and China are singled out as sources of concern.

The outline also eases a ban on arms exports, enabling the development of a missile defence system with the US.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Tokyo says it is the first time Japan has spoken of re-orientating the military's role from strictly self-defence.

Under the country's pacifist constitution, Japanese troops are barred from taking part in combat missions.

Watchful eye

The announcement comes a day after the Tokyo government announced it would keep its troops in Iraq for another year.


PACIFISM UNDER THREAT?
Japan's constitution renounces the use of force
This has been stretched to allow self-defence troops
1992 law allowed troops to join UN and relief work overseas
2003 law said troops could go to non-combat zones in Iraq
PM Koizumi wants to give Japan even greater powers
About 550 Japanese troops are currently in Iraq, on a non-combat mission to aid reconstruction efforts.

This is the nation's first mission since 1945 to a country where fighting is underway.

The new defence outline covers a period from April 2005 to March 2009.

The document says China and North Korea need to be "carefully watched".

Last month a Chinese submarine intruded into Japanese waters last month - although Japan later said Beijing had apologised for what it termed a technical mistake.

Under the new policy, Japan will be able to export missile components to the US, effectively ending a 1967 ban on military exports.

At the same time, military spending is due to be cut by more than 3% over the next five years.


Neighbouring North Korea is making Japan nervous
Troop levels will be set at 155,000 - a reduction of 5,000 from the current five-year plan.

The cuts - agreed by both the Defence Agency and the Finance Ministry - will be Japan's first reduction in defence spending in two decades.

The US has urged Japan to revise its pacifist constitution - notably Article Nine, which renounces the use of force.

This has been re-interpreted to permit forces for self-defence. But the government needed to pass special legislation to allow the Iraq despatch.

Both the governing Liberal Democratic Party and the opposition favour such a revision, but the issue remains controversial in Japan.

A poll published in May suggested 78% of Japanese lawmakers were in favour of making some changes to the constitution, but 70% were against alterations to Article Nine.

Ray

Stupid joes.

Combat troops and not a few band aid guys! That is what is required if solidarity is to be shown.

Or else stay out and don't take credit of 'fighting' in Iraq.

The fighting seems to be left to the US and UK.

smilingassassin

HUMBUG!!!