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Most Japanese say PM right to send Iraq troops

Posted on: Friday, 14 July 2006, 04:26 CDT

TOKYO (Reuters) - With their troops in the midst of a withdrawal from Iraq, a poll showed most Japanese now believe Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi was right to send the forces on their riskiest mission since World War Two.

Japan dispatched around 550 troops to the southern Iraqi town of Samawa starting in February 2004 in a show of support for its most important ally, the United States. With their activities limited by Japan's pacifist constitution, they were involved mainly in humanitarian and reconstruction activities.

A poll in the English-language Daily Yomiuri showed 59 percent of respondents believed Japan's government was right to send the troops, up eight percent on a similar poll in April.

The opinion poll result shows a complete turnaround from surveys carried out before the non-combat mission was sent, which showed a majority of Japanese opposed to sending troops.

Japanese soldiers have suffered no casualties during their Iraqi mission.

Defense Agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga is set to visit Kuwait at the weekend to offer encouragement to the soldiers involved in the pullout, which domestic media have said could be complete by the end of July.

Japan's air force plans to step up its transport activities in Iraq when the ground forces depart.

Source: REUTERS

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