http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12335974%255E1702,00.html

BREAKING NEWS





Japan welcomes Aussie troop plan
From correspondents in Tokyo
February 22, 2005
JAPAN today welcomed Australia's decision to send 450 more troops to Iraq to provide security for the historic mission of Japanese troops, who are legally barred from taking part in combat.

"The decision is encouraging for the international community which is working to rebuild Iraq. The government of Japan welcomes and highly appreciates the decision," Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said.
"Australia has been actively contributing to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq," Mr Machimura said.
Australia, like Japan one of the closest US allies, said today it would send another 450 troops to Iraq to provide security to Japanese engineers.
Prime Minister John Howard said Iraq was at a "tilting point" following elections and the coalition had to support the fledgling democracy.
Japan has about 600 troops in the relatively peaceful southern Iraqi town of Samawa, the first time since World War II that Japanese troops have been in a country at war.
Japan renounced the right to use force in its US-imposed 1947 constitution and its troops in Iraq have not fired their weapons since the start of the deployment in December 2003.
The Japanese had been in the security zone of Dutch troops, who began pulling out Sunday and will leave Samawa by mid-March.
After the Dutch decision, Britain agreed to ensure the security of Japanese forces.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, the government spokesman, said Japan was informed of Australia's deployment through Britain.
"We are very grateful for the decision," Mr Hosoda said.