Japan extends Iraq air force mission by one year

Tokyo, July 10: Japan's cabinet today approved a plan to extend to July 31, 2008 an air force support mission for Iraq, the top government spokesman said.

Japan withdrew its 600 ground troops from Iraq last year after a non-combat mission lasting more than two years, but has kept about 200 air force personnel in Kuwait to airlift supplies to the US military in Iraq.

A law passed earlier this year allows that mission to be extended for two years.

''As the government, we are showing our stance to steadily support efforts to rebuild Iraq,'' Chief Cabinet Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference, adding Japan would continue to cooperate with efforts by the United Nations and involved countries to support Iraq's reconstruction.

The troop dispatch, which was welcomed by the United States, Tokyo's closest security ally, stretched the limits of Japan's pacifist constitution and was opposed by many voters.

But approval rates rose after the soldiers came home without having fired a shot or suffered any casualties.

Reuters>