Passersby watch a screen announcing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's decision to extend the SDF's deployment for another year.

The one-year deployment, which has also seen SDF units dispatched to Kuwait, was set to expire Dec. 14.

Koizumi said that Japan's involvement in reconstruction efforts is important for the future of Iraq and in Japan's national interests.

But Koizumi also stressed the importance of Japan's alliance with the United States in its decision to keep around 600 Ground Self-Defense Force troops in the southern Iraq city of Samawah.

"The United States is in a tough position. It's necessary for allies to cooperate with each other and thereby build confidence," Koizumi said.

"I think a majority of people would agree that the Japan-U.S. alliance and international cooperation is the way to secure the development and prosperity of Japan."

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 18, 2004
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