(AP) Report: Japan may extend Iraqi air mission for another 2 years

[Eugene]

Report: Japan may extend Iraqi air mission for another 2 years

The Associated Press
Published: December 28, 2006

TOKYO: The Japanese government may ask parliament to authorize a two-year
extension of its air force mission to Iraq because of continued unrest across
much of the country, a news report said Friday.

Tokyo has been airlifting U.N. and coalition personnel and supplies into Baghdad
and other Iraqi cities from nearby Kuwait since earlier this year as part of efforts
to support reconstruction of Iraq.

The current mission, authorized under a special law, runs through July 31 next year.
The government may submit a bill to parliament next year that would extend that
mission through July 2009, the Yomiuri Shimbun, a mass-circulation daily, said Friday
on its online edition.

Officials at the Cabinet Office and Foreign Ministry did not return calls seeking
comment Friday morning.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/29/asia/AS_GEN_Japan_Iraq.php

[BushOut06]

1. Japan never met a country it didn't want to invade

Given Japan's military history, why should we expect any less from them? Especially now that younger, more hawkish politicians are taking power over there.

[Javaman]

2. They are testing their new tech in prep for the eventual war with china. nt