Shigeru Ishiba

The move paves the way for a full-fledged military deployment aimed at helping to rebuild the war-ravaged nation.

Defense Agency chief Shigeru Ishiba ordered the GSDF to dispatch an estimated 520 troops to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

The GSDF members will be dispatched in phases during a two-month period beginning in early February. They will engage in water-purification and medical-relief activities, Defense Agency officials said.

Ishiba also ordered the Maritime Self-Defense Force to dispatch vessels tasked with transporting GSDF personnel and equipment.

He said the mission of the Self-Defense Forces will help Iraqi people improve their lives and serve Japan's national interests by contributing to stability in the Middle East, the source of 90 percent of Japan's crude oil supplies, as well as by strengthening ties with the United States.

Also on Jan. 26, three C-130 cargo planes of the Air Self-Defense Force left Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture for Kuwait.

They will help the U.S.-led coalition forces by airlifting food, medicine and other supplies from an air base in Kuwait to major airports in Iraq.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 31, 2004
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