"No Withdrawal for Japanese SDF"

The threat to kill three Japanese civilians kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents on April 8 is stirring up a controversy in Japan about the dispatch of the Self Defense Forces (SDF).

Japanese media reported that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi may be removed from office if the kidnappers actually do kill the three hostages for not withdrawing the SDF by the evening of April 11.

The families of the abductees and the Komeito Party as well as some opposition parties including the Socialist Party and the Japanese Communist Party, who opposed the troop dispatch to Iraq, has requested that the government withdraw the SDF immediately since “the civilians were kidnapped because of the unjustifiable deployment of troops.”

However, Japanese government reaffirmed their policy against the withdrawal and formed a special taskforce headed by Yasuo Fukuda, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, to carry out the rescue operation in coordination with the American troops

On April 9, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said at the internal affairs commission, “It is essential to have the SDF carry out the humanitarian support for reconstruction effort for Iraqis and in bringing peace and stability to the international community.”

The Japanese government decided to have Foreign Vice Minister Ichiro Aisawa sent to Jordan to try and make contact with the kidnappers.

Also, they advised all Japanese civilians within Iraq, including reporters, to leave the country to prevent any more abduction.

Japan Defense Agency (JDA) reported that 20 out of 53 reporters, who were there to cover the activities of the SDF ground troops in Samawa, have returned to the army post to take refuge.

The U.S. Department of Defense also held an emergency meeting on April 8, local time, and decided to cooperate fully with Japan in the rescue effort. The U.S. government welcomed the Japan’s decision to reject the request for withdrawal of the troops.

Meanwhile, another explosion was heard around the Japanese post in the southern city of Samawa following the one heard the night before on April 8. JDA reported on April 9, however, that there were no casualties.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com