Japan dispatches 2nd GSDF core unit for Iraqi mission

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, March 14, 2004

Japan dispatches 2nd GSDF core unit for Iraqi mission

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The second core unit of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on Saturday left its Chitose air base in Hokkaido for Kuwait on two government aircraft to participate in reconstruction missions in Iraq.

The 190 members, including 11 female officers, will be followedby the GSDF's third and last contingent consisting of some 120 officers to be dispatched to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah later this month.

At a send-off ceremony at the base, around 850 relatives were present. Katsutoshi Shigenobu, 41, representing the troops to be sent, was quoted by NHK television as saying that, "We have completed all possible preparations."

"We will move on to faithfully implement our duties for our beloved families as well as for colleagues," Shigenobu said.

According to NHK's TV report, the female troops are expected toengage in medical and signal communication duties in Iraq. This isthe second mission sending female Self-Defense Forces (SDF) members abroad, following Japan's peacekeeping operation in East Timor.

Like the previous units dispatched, the second contingent will first undergo training for a few days at a US Army camp in Kuwait before entering Iraq by land to join the other GSDF troops in Samawah.

With the last unit, Japan's GSDF troops in Samawah will number 550.

Under a special law endorsed in July, Japan will eventually send around 1,000 troops, including 550 GSDF members, to Iraq and surrounding regions.

This is the largest overseas operation for the SDF since it first went abroad early 1990s.

Japan's constitution instituted after the World War II forbids the country maintaining military forces and renounces war, but controversial bills have been keeping rolling out, leaving the pacifist basic law tattered.

Equipped with heavy weapons such as armored vehicles and recoilless guns, the SDF troops will carry out humanitarian operations in Iraq such as repairing public facilities and providing medical services.

The mission is supposed to be finished by the year end.

Source: Xinhua

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