Japan announces plan to pull air defense troops out of Iraq

Thursday 11th September, 12:19 PM JST

TOKYO —

Japan said Thursday it will begin studying pulling its Air Self-Defense Force out of the airlifting mission in Iraq for U.S.-led coalition forces by the end of the year, citing improvements in the political and security situations there. The planned withdrawal will mark a complete pullout by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces from Iraq, where the Ground Self-Defense Force was withdrawn in 2006 after being initially deployed in 2004 to help reconstruct the war-torn country.

Japan made the announcement ahead of the expiry in December of a U.N. resolution that authorizes the current deployment of multinational forces in Iraq. ‘‘The political and security situations have improved’’ and the Iraqi government has suggested it wants relevant countries to downsize the current presence, Defense Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, explaining the reason for the intended pullout, told reporters, ‘‘We recognized we have fulfilled the purposes’’ stipulated in the special law.

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Latest 15 of 35 Total Comments Show All

OssanULTRA at 07:02 AM JST - 12th September

OssanULTRA- Absurd rebuttal by a true Japanophile. Japan has not been >aggressive because of the American military presence and American made >constitution. Get you facts right Mr Japan.

Not at all. If you were aware of the current extent of JSDF and US military integration you would know that what I have stated is fact. Repeating the same old anti-Jp CCP proganda is pointless because we've all heard them before.
Sarge at 07:08 AM JST - 12th September

The ASDF aren't in Iraq - they're in Kuwait.
Schutzstaffel at 07:31 AM JST - 12th September

rjd jr- Ye Japn did mighty fine wuth their origama classes. He he.

Don't you recall the Iraq's complaing that the Japanese were ineffective and were not benefiting the locals. Maybe your rose tinted glasses were on that day.

How much did they complete in 5 yeras. Let me tell you from people on the ground, not a damn lot , not a lot at all.

The local Iraq's could have done the same work in 6 months. Hang your heads in shame Japan.
OssanULTRA at 08:50 AM JST - 12th September

"The local Iraq's could have done the same work in 6 months. Hang your heads in shame Japan."

Actually considering how events after the war have gone for all coalition members, Japan is probably the last country that should feel any shame over Iraq.
soldave at 09:23 AM JST - 12th September

Sarge - Don't let the truth cloud an argument. You should know that by now!
TonyUS at 10:22 AM JST - 12th September

moderateguy, where ever you are from, you are lost in the area of 69 years ago.. your remarks on Japan are nothing but ignorant or support of communist China's expansion, and suppression of rights, or a stronger more aggressive Russia and on top that a nuclear armed Iran.. Which ever of those I would be willing to say you are a minority on your ideas and thoughts about Japan, especially what is taking place in Asia today with China's rapid military build up and no one having any idea of where they are heading in the future.

Japan needs to step forward in a forward fashion to commit and participate in the balances of power among nations.

There is no need to degrade Japan for any participation in their efforts in Iraq, because as we have seen around the world they are one of a few that willingly participated in any way. Just to participate in any way showed courage because of consequences that could have come about from being just a part of it. Look at Spain and the attacks from terroists in that country, all of a sudden they were gone out of Iraq. Then those that sent no one to help. Look at the criticism Japan received from participating at all but they stayed with their operations. I see no reason at all to belittle their help.

Look at Georgian troops. 2000 of them that had to be shipped back home because of Russia's aggression upon their country. Out of all that sent troops, here we have a small country like Georgia being second highest in troops in Iraq and look att he condition and situation they are in with Russia's forces and what were we able to do for them after they committed the second highest number of troops to Iraq to help us???

There are some comments being thrown around here that are just the show of the arrogance that many see the US and its people as being and I sure wish those people could be put in their place so the face of the US could be cleaned a little better.

I thank Japan for their participation in a war that the majority of the world seen as wrong, but Japan as an ally stood up and participated in because they are a committed ally.

I would like to see article 8 abolished and Japan come into the fold of nations of power and a military to back up that power, Japan is one of a few that stands with us in today's world. China and Taiwan issue could be less likely to break out if power stood east of China that could possibly cause collateral damage in a cross Taiwan Straight conflict along with US forces assisting at the beginning and then more added as they could reach the area. We see Australia going on a aggressive move to build their military at this time because of the growing China, India military expansion. Which I think the " India " was just thrown in so not to make China be seen as the isolated threat to the region and of the world,which it is. Maybe that is less likely with Taiwan since Ma seems to be on a course of surrender to China already. But the people of Taiwan will finally deal with the reality of ( HK ) Ma and his giving up Taiwan's sovereignty over time, so that threat will again be a growing issue in the region.

There is not one reason to use any unfavorable words towards Japan on the Iraq issue when they stood along with the US in supporting of the US aggression against Iraq, especially when so many others stood back and criticized the US that were suppose to be allies.
apecNetworks at 10:26 AM JST - 12th September

I have been studying the SDF for awhile, and for the LDP to push for a military buildup that overshadows Article 9 will lead to the DPJ gaining strength. This has already happened, and the Diet will experience gridlock. I have experienced pressure to not post my views, but the facts will not go away - Article 9 is important to many Japanese citizens and generally comfortable w/ their Constitution even w/ flaws. For the US to push for major changes in the SDF will lead to strains to US/Japan relations. Good luck to those advocating any of the positions.
TonyUS at 10:27 AM JST - 12th September

Sorry mis type. article 9 not article 8
moderateguy2008 at 10:37 AM JST - 12th September

Japans contribution was laughable. The Brits and Dutch were complaining about having to protect fellow troops, what a joke.

Good Japan get out. This war is for the big boys, not kids.

Leave the mission to those who know how to fight and are not scared to fight. If Japanese soldiers want to be real troops they can join others armies. Many countries take foreign troops these days.
rjd_jr at 10:56 AM JST - 12th September

Great post TonyUS, one of the best I have ever read here. A true patriot and a person that understands what team, honor, and decency are all about.
moderateguy2008 at 11:03 AM JST - 12th September

TonyUS, theonly one ignorant of the facts are you. Japan only went under Iraq under extreme pressure from Cheney and Rumsfeld. They did not help to keep the peace,a nd did minimal repairs and rebuilding.

Look at British troop froums and see what real military say about Japans contributions.
ColAmerica at 11:07 AM JST - 12th September

moderateguy2008, Great post. Guess you've been eating your share of freedom fries buddy.

I am a true patriot, and i have seen what Japan has done in Iraq since they arrived. The answer is very little, for the time they have been there.I saw a report thatstated that British and Dutch troopscosts of protecting the Japanese troops cost much more than the rebuilding Japan did. Japan only went to please Bush, not to do anything constructive.
cwhite at 04:41 PM JST - 12th September

why would the US expect Japan to do any more than they did? They aren't allowed even if they wanted to. Japan has the capabilities and the means to deploy an arsenal, but on the grounds that it is only used for defense purposes what more can you expect.

Once unmanned and remote warfare becomes the norm perhaps one should not underestimate the Japanese. War games is not a new concept and the virtual battlefield is just around the corner.
OssanULTRA at 08:22 AM JST - 14th September

why would the US expect Japan to do any more than they did? They aren't >allowed even if they wanted to. Japan has the capabilities and the means >to deploy an arsenal, but on the grounds that it is only used for >defense purposes what more can you expect.

The above says it all. You can't really criticize them when they weren't even suppose to be there. The coaltion could have simply not asked them to participate. Meantime, the air support Japan has been providing as well as the Indian Ocean fueling operations are hardly scoffed at by anyone. So..where are the Chinese on this?
teaabe at 06:59 AM JST - 15th September

not much of a coalition anymore. keep in mind the soviets tried it with afghanistan, not iraqistan + pakistan now, aka iraqistakistan.

go rambo.