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Iraq

Japan May Delay Iraq Withdrawal

2006-03-12

TOKYO (AP) - Japan may extend its humanitarian mission in Iraq beyond a reported May deadline because of the deteriorating security and political crisis there, a news report said Saturday. The government has not announced when, or if, it will end its 600-strong humanitarian mission in the southern city of Samawah. But media reports have suggested Japanese troops may start to pull out as early as March and complete the process by late May.

Sankei newspaper said Saturday that Tokyo plans to drop the May withdrawal deadline, citing unnamed government sources. The report did not suggest an alternative date for it to complete the process. Defense Agency officials were not available to comment Saturday.

In a letter to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Japan's Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro urged the leaders to form a new government soon, taking into account the ethnic and religious diversity of the nation, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Friday. Koizumi said Japan will continue to provide support for Iraq, the ministry said.

Posted by:Steve White

#5 Arigato gozaimasu Japan!

Posted by: DMFD 2006-03-12 23:09

#4 (1) Japan is working with the US on antiballistic missile systems.

Not just working with.... they're designing the warhead and picking up 1/3 of the total costs (of the SM-3. Very, very serious business.

Posted by: 6 2006-03-12 14:33

#3 Maybe they want in on the ground floor of the Iran caper. Wouldn't that be interesting for lots of folks.

Two recents stories:

(1) Japan is working with the US on antiballistic missile systems.
(2) A majority of Japanese favor ammending their constitution to remove the restriction on use of troops offensively.

Posted by: lotp 2006-03-12 09:30

#2 Think about it. Wouldn't you like a military base near a key source of your energy resource?

Let's review. The Japanese attacked the US because Pres. Roosevelt cut oil exports to Japan. The Japanese sought the Dutch Indonesian oil fields. That meant going past the American Philippines. To protect their line of supply, that meant attacking the US territory and war with the US. They hoped they could negotiate the outcome to come away with the resources. They simply miscalculated on the response.

Note again, what is a key source of oil for the Japanese. Notice who've they've allied themselves with this time around.

Posted by: Glising Chaviling8280 2006-03-12 08:39

#1 Thanks.

Maybe they want in on the ground floor of the Iran caper. Wouldn't that be interesting for lots of folks.

Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-03-12 08:24

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