Japan extends Iraq mission 2 years

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

TOKYO - Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday approved a two-year extension of the country's air force transport mission in Iraq, despite criticism of Tokyo's involvement in the increasingly unpopular war.

The legislation cleared the upper house with support from members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the New Komei Party, upper house official Yuji Masaki said.

The lower house — also dominated by the ruling coalition — approved the legislation last month.

The government has argued that the mission is needed to help stabilize Iraq and prevent the spread of terrorism.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070620/ap_on_re_mi_ea/japan_iraq