Japan ground troops mark official end to Iraq mission

ASAKA, Japan (AP) - The first Japanese troops deployed to a combat zone since World War II marked the end of their mission Saturday by celebrating the return of the army flag that flew over them for 2 1/2 years in Iraq. About 1,000 recently returned soldiers and well-wishers attended a ceremony at Asaka training ground north of Tokyo, that also included Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Iraq's Ambassador to Japan Ghanim Alwan al-Jumaily.

"The troops did an admirable job in the most difficult of conditions," Koizumi told the crowd. "This mission will remain in the memories of both the Japanese and Iraqi people."

Col. Toshihiro Yamanaka, who led Japan's final contingent to Iraq, carefully handed Defense chief Fukushiro Nukaga the flag that flew over Japan's base in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

"I am relieved to have brought the flag back safely," said Yamanaka.

A total of 5,500 troops were deployed to Iraq during the 2 1/2-year mission, he said.

Japan's mission to Samawah boosted Japan's international profile and strengthened its ties with the United States - Tokyo's biggest ally - but also tested the limits of the country's pacifist constitution and was widely criticized at home.

The troops were dispatched to Iraq under a special law and their activities greatly limited. They were heavily dependent on Dutch, Australian and British forces for security, and suffered no combat-related casualties.

Koizumi, a strong backer of U.S. operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq, has clearly stated he hopes the Samawah mission will lead to more overseas deployments.

Japan already has ships in the Indian Ocean providing fuel and logistical support to U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Tokyo is not completely withdrawing from the Iraqi region. Government officials have said Japan plans to expand its Kuwait-based air operations to ferry U.N. and coalition personnel and supplies to Iraq.

Officials have said Japan is open to sending peacekeeping troops back to Iraq, but only if the security situation improves there.

Tokyo is also working on a joint missile defence system with the U.S., and is assuming more responsibility for its own defence under a broad reshuffling of the 50,000 American troops based in Japan.

Last year, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed revising the constitution to delete phrasing that renounces the country's right to wage war.

© The Canadian Press, 2006