Japan Votes to Send Troops to Iraq (banzai alert)

Yahoo! News ^ | July 25, 2003 | AP

[El Conservador]

TOKYO - Japanese lawmakers voted to send Japanese forces to Iraq (news - web sites) to help with reconstruction, despite delaying tactics by the opposition that deteriorated into a wild shoving match.

The passage of the bill was a victory for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who campaigned hard to send peacekeeping troops overseas as he seeks to raise Japan's profile on the world stage.

He also aims to distance his administration from the "checkbook diplomacy" for which the world's second-richest nation was criticized during the 1991 Gulf War (news - web sites).

Opposition parties criticized the legislation, saying such peacekeeping missions could violate Japan's pacifist constitution and put its troops in the line of enemy fire.

The legislation had already passed an upper house committee with support from Koizumi's three-party coalition, which controls a majority in both chambers of Parliament.

During the committee meeting, outraged opposition legislators shouted and tried to push their way through a ring of ruling party lawmakers to get at the committee chairman, who had cut short the debate. The chairman called a vote amid the grappling and tackling.

The opposition had tried to stall passage of the legislation for days, submitting one censure motion after another against Koizumi, his Cabinet ministers and other ruling party officials in Parliament with long filibuster-style speeches and slow-motion voting.

Koizumi's ruling party had vowed Friday to convene Parliament over the weekend if necessary to ensure the peacekeeping bill was passed before the current legislative session ends next Monday.

The peacekeeping bill allows Japanese ground troops to provide non-combat support for U.S.-led forces in Iraq. It also gives the government power to send forces to trouble spots around the world to offer medical assistance, repatriate refugees, reconstruct buildings and roads and give administrative advice — even on missions that have yet to receive the United Nations (news - web sites) backing.

Military planners are reportedly considering sending a contingent of up to 1,000 combat engineers and other troops for transport and construction duties in Iraq.

Small Japanese military contingents have participated in several U.N. peacekeeping operations since 1992, most recently in East Timor (news - web sites).

The United States and close ally Britain are having mixed success in recruiting help in Iraq. France, Germany and India have declined to take part. There are currently about 147,000 U.S. troops and 13,000 troops from other countries in Iraq.

U.S. officials have expressed hope that Pakistan and Turkey will also join.

[El Conservador]

Time to allow Japan to have a full-capablilty military???

I'm for it!!!

Banzai!!!

[mhking]

HMB/Bizarre PING....

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FYI: This has fast outgrown it's original "charter" and become a home for the truly bizarre. An alternative saying/phrasiology is being sought (and suggestions are very welcome!). Also, like it's "cousin list" the B/C list, it has become a high-volume list.

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I'm leaning toward "Just damn," on the suggestion of quite a few folks. I won't make a decision until Sunday. (And thanks to all of you for sending your suggestions!)

[doodad]

Well domo arrigato

[rrrod]

yep and another slap in the face to the french and german scum!!!! i love it lol

[Texas_Dawg]

They do know they are supposed to land the planes and not dive-bomb them when they get to their destination this time right?

[bedolido]

They can only be defensive troops. They cannot be offensive (according to their constitution, unless of course, they've changed it)

[Lee Heggy]

Either way defensively or offensively it'll confuse the hell out of the Iraqis. Good move!

[finnman69]

Fomr the nation that invented the suicide bomber.

[ChadGore]

Kakkate Koi!

[TheSpottedOwl]

I sure hope someone went over there to train the troops. They haven't been active since WWII. The best defense is a good offense...

[TheSpottedOwl]

I sure hope someone went over there to train the troops. They haven't been active since WWII. The best defense is a good offense...

[TheSpottedOwl]

I sure hope someone went over there to train the troops. They haven't been active since WWII. The best defense is a good offense...

[TheSpottedOwl]

Damn pop up ads...sorry for the triple post.

[Pikamax]

some people were not happy though Opposition lawmakers swarm a chairman to stop the passage of the Iraq (news - web sites) bill forced by the ruling party lawmakers at the upper house in Tokyo Fridat, July 25, 2003. The ruling party plans to approve the Iraq bill which enables the Japanese government to dispatch Self-Defense Forces to Iraq to help reconstructing the war-torn country. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

[RightWhale]

It's about time Japan take some of the responsibility for providing security in the Gap.

[wimpycat]

When the Japanese set their minds to do something, they go all the way. I'm sure they will be adequately trained.

[jriemer]

They can only be defensive troops. They cannot be offensive (according to their constitution, unless of course, they've changed it)

I bet these Japanese troops will fire back if they get fired upon.

[TheRightGuy]

TORA TORA TORA

[berserker]

You missed one.

[jriemer]

Thank goodness we haven't had a political tussel like this involving Hillary! or Nancy Pelosi. I would hate to see this much leg on either of them. *eew*