ASDF plane to evacuate 70 Japanese from Iraq (All civilians)

[Robbien]

The government will use one of the Air Self-Defense Force's C-130 cargo planes in Kuwait to evacuate some Japanese civilians from Iraq, government sources said Friday.

According to the Foreign Ministry, about 70 nongovernmental organization members and journalists will be evacuated, but about 550 Ground Self-Defense Force members and Foreign Ministry officials in the country will remain.

The ministry was instructed by the government to make a list of those who want to leave the country, the sources said.

There are three Self Defense Forces C-130s operating in Kuwait, and they have airlifted humanitarian goods to Iraqis and U.S. and British forces under a special law concerning SDF activities in the country.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20040410wo44.htm

[wuushew]

1. Why is Japan even in Iraq?

I thought their constitution expressly forbids military involvement in affairs not related to defense of the Japanese home islands. Since this little adventure wasn't even authorized by the U.N. I am having a hard figuring out the legality of the situation.

[Robbien]

2. All Japanese solders who are there are non-combat

Only mission is reconstruction. They have been confined to barracks when the fighting started.

[Chicago Democrat]

3. Remember Bush totally pressured the Japanese government to go!

There were brawls in the Japanese diet and this horror is the result.