Ichiro Comes Marching Home Again

When Iraqi troops take over security in Samawah, the Japanese forces there, engaged in humanitarian and support work, are going home.

Japan had 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.

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

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the Australian troops would keep "looking after the Japanese until the Japanese have gone, and I expect that to be quite soon."

Japan has been hinting at withdraw for a while now, and the removal of their protective force makes the perfect excuse.

Tags
Japan Iraq