Japanese leader under fire over troops for Iraq

[kskiska]

Japan's main opposition leader yesterday called for the prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, to resign during a heated parliamentary debate on the deployment of Japanese ground troops to Iraq.

Naoto Kan, leader of the Democratic Party, said sending troops to a war zone, even on a supposedly peaceful mission, violated Japan's constitution, which renounces use of force to settle international disputes.

Mr Koizumi replied that troops would carry out their humanitarian mission only in "safe" areas. But he added that they would be entitled to use weapons if attacked by rebels.

The debate descended into a slanging match as opposition MPs accused the prime minister of dodging questions and refused to end the session. Divisions over Japan's support for the US-led war in Iraq have deepened since an advance unit of about 30 ground troops arrived in Samawah, in Iraq's south-east, on Monday.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1128414,00.html

[psychopomp]

1. Why so late?

Perhaps Mr. Kan did not want to stake his party's political capital on this issue until PM Koizumi was fully committed, thus ensuring that the stakes were make-or-break for the LDP.

This is the issue that could have the LDP out w/in a year. How sad that it will probably take the blood of a Japanese soldier to make it happen.

[0007]

2. I'm indeed surprised that Koizumi sent the troops.

[montana_hazeleyes]

3. What "safe" areas ?

It seems there is no safe area at all there.

[markses]

4. Guess what 30 poor souls just became a major target?

Dizz'oh!