TOKYO, June 20: Japan on Tuesday ordered its 600 troops to leave Iraq, ending its first military mission since World War II to a country where fighting is under way. The pullout brings closure to one of the signature but domestically unpopular policies of outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, which was seen as a way to exert Japanese influence beyond that of an economic power.

“After closely consulting the United States, the multinational forces, Britain and Australia, I made the decision because I judged that the humanitarian mission has completed a certain achievement in the region,” Mr Koizumi, who steps down in September, told a news conference.

The troops were given immediate orders to arrange for their withdrawal, defence chief Fukushiro Nukaga said. Officials said the last troops were expected to return by late next month.

But Mr Nukaga said the Japanese air force would remain active in Iraq, transporting goods and personnel to Baghdad for the US-led forces.

The troop mission, which has helped reconstruct the relatively peaceful area around the southern city of Samawa since Jan 2004, is the first of its kind since Japan was forced by the United States to renounce war after World War II.

Due to its 1947 constitution, Japan relies on British and Australian troops for protection in Iraq as its own troops are barred from using force.

The troops have suffered no casualties and never even fired their state-of-the-art weapons.

But the military mission has still been criticised by China, which is haunted by Japan’s past aggression, and opposed by a majority of the public in opinion polls.

Mr Koizumi’s government has broken other post-war taboos. It has proposed a revision of the constitution to recognise that Japan has a military, and not the euphemistically named Self-Defence Forces.

“Including this deployment, the activities of the Self-Defence Forces around the world have helped improve Japan’s brand image,” Foreign Minister Taro Aso said.

Iraqi troops will next month take over security from the US-led forces in Muthanna province, which includes Samawa — the first such transfer of power since the 2003 invasion.

Analysts said it was no coincidence Japan was exiting now, as the troops could expect a riskier mission without Western forces around them.

“The government has been extremely worried about casualties during the deployment, so it must be truly relieved to withdraw now,” said Hideo Otake, professor of politics at Kyoto University.

Mr Koizumi backed President George Bush’s decision to invade Iraq and has bolstered cooperation with Washington since becoming premier in April 2001.

He defended his stance on Tuesday. “We are engaged in international cooperation keeping the importance of the Japan-US alliance in mind, we are engaged in international cooperation. This is our important policy now and in the future,” Mr Koizumi said.

The withdrawal supports Japan’s stance that its involvement was only for reconstruction, as it is leaving declaring the goal accomplished, said an analyst.—AFP