Japan Delays Decision on Iraq Withdrawal

Top Japanese officials delayed a decision Monday on when to withdraw Tokyo's troops from southern Iraq, pending the transfer of security in the region to Iraqi authorities, officials said.

Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe and Defense chief Fukushiro Nukaga met to discuss Iraq amid speculation Tokyo will soon announce a withdrawal of its 600 troops in Samawah.

The group agreed a decision on the timing of a withdrawal would have to wait for Iraqi moves to take over security responsibilities in the area from the British, Nukaga said.

``We have to wait and see the outcome of an Iraqi government security meeting,'' he told a group of reporters after meeting with Aso and Abe.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5895941,00.html

off of this?

...to make him ignore the will of the vast majority of his people as he has over Blair. Both of them wet their pants whenever POS BUsh walks into the room. Koizumi's getting a whole new hope chest all set up to commemorate his trip to Graceland with Dumbya. :eyes: