Japan set to announce Iraq troop withdrawal

Tokyo, June 20: Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will announce later today a plan to withdraw Japan's troops from Iraq, media reported, ending the military's riskiest and most ambitious international mission since World War Two.

An announcement would come after Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said yesterday his forces would take over security in July in the southern province of Muthanna, where the British oversee a multinational contingent that includes Japanese troops.

Media reports said the withdrawal of the non-combat troops, to be announced formally by Koizumi at a news conference, would begin as early as this month.

So far, there have been no serious casualties among the Japanese, although mortar shells have fallen near their camp.

Japan has said its withdrawal from the southern city of Samawa would have to be coordinated with the British and Australian governments, whose troops have been providing security for the roughly 550 Japanese non-combat troops there.

The troop dispatch -- a symbol of Japan's willingness to put ''boots on the ground'' for its close ally, the United States -- won praise from Washington but was opposed by many at home.

Japan decided to send ground troops to Iraq in December 2003, and the first major contingent arrived in February 2004.

After the withdrawal, Japan's air force is expected to continue and expand its transport activities in Iraq from a base in nearby Kuwait.

Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Koizumi gave no timetable for a withdrawal but said Japan would continue to provide reconstruction and humanitarian aid to Iraq.

Japan's military activities overseas are limited by its pacifist constitution, although the government has been stretching those restrictions in recent years.

The Japanese troops are engaged in reconstruction work such as repairing buildings and providing medical training.

Reuters