Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group

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**JIRSG**

Established	January 17, 2004
Activated	January 19, 2004
Commander
Insignia adopted	January 2004
Personnel	(JGSDF) 600, mostly non-combat personnel. Small numbers of armed JGSDF soldiers are unknown (JMSDF) 330 personnel (JASDF) 200 personnel
AOR	Samawa

In 2004, the Japanese government ordered the deployment and eventual formation of the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group at the request of the United States: A contingent of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was sent in order to assist the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq, sending 600 soldiers into Iraqi soil. This controversial deployment marked a significant turning point in Japan's history as it represents the first foreign deployment of Japanese troops since the end of World War II, excluding those deployments conducted under United Nations auspices. As Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan prohibits Japan from using military forces, the legality of this intervention is contested domestically.

1 Overview
2 Origin
3 Significance
4 Deployment
5 Commanders
6 Unit Deployments
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Overview

Public opinion regarding this deployment was sharply divided, especially given that Japan's military is constitutionally structured as solely a self-defense force, and operating in Iraq seemed at best tenuously connected to that mission. The Koizumi administration, however, decided to send troops to respond to a request from the U.S.

The divided nature of Japanese public opinion was also taken advantage of by Iraqi insurgents. In April 2004, three Japanese, one journalist and two volunteer workers, were kidnapped. They were released on April 15 ^[1], while an unconfirmed report said two Japanese journalists appeared to be kidnapped near Baghdad ^[2]. The kidnappers of the original three threatened to burn the hostages alive if Japanese troops were not removed from Iraq within three days. The release of the hostages was negotiated by the Islamic Clerics Committee, who have been responsible for the release of more than 20 hostages during the war.

According to representatives from Japan, Britain, Australia and the US, all JGSDF soldiers in Samawa are supposed to be withdrawn by March 2006, after an original announcement said that they could leave by May 2006. It was later denied by Defense Agency representatives in a Kyoto news reports, though the stance was later reversed.

[edit] Origin

In order to legalize the deployment of Japanese forces in Samawa, the Koizumi administration had legislated the Humanitarian Relief and Iraqi Reconstruction Special Measures Law on December 9, 2003 in the Diet. Though opposition groups have firmly opposed it (Some have tried to block the podium of the Speaker so as to prevent it from being legal), the government parties have officially passed it, calling for JSDF personnel to be sent into Iraq (Some were sent into Kuwait and will be stationed there as liaison and cargo personnel for coalition forces stationed in Iraqi soil).

[edit] Significance

Although this deployment of JSDF troops is undoubtedly a historical first, analysts and academics differ as to the political ramifications of the deployment. One view is that the deployment of troops to support Iraq operations that are unpopular at home represents the emergence of Japan as a "normal" and closely tied military ally of the United States which will be positioned as a counterweight to growing Chinese power. This position asserts that the Iraq deployment offers a constitutional model and precedent for future overseas deployment and effectively circumvents Article 9.^[3] Another interpretation is that the deployment is entirely symbolic, comes at little cost to the Koizumi administration, represents minimal commitment to U.S. interests and is simply aimed at maintaining positive relations with the U.S. so as to perpetuate a favorable trade climate.^[4]

[edit] Deployment

[edit] Overview

Most Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) soldiers have been transferred to Samawa, which is a relatively stable province. 550 non-combat soldiers were deployed in Samawa before increasing numbers eventually to 600. A total of 9 JIRSG units went operational in Samawa from 2004 to 2006. Units in Hokkaido were involved in the first contingent and the 10th Division based in Nagoya were involved in the fifth contingent. Soldiers of the 9th Division from Tokyo's Nerima Ward made up the bulk of the ninth contingent.^[5]

Australian and British soldiers were on hand to provide protection for most of them since Japanese troops were not allowed to attack any Iraqi guerillas unless they were being directly threatened, which presents a problem for the JSDF in deploying its forces in future humanitarian or peacekeeping operations ^[6]. However, small elements of the Japanese Special Operations Group and the Western Infantry Army Regiment were also deployed, as well as the 1st Airborne Brigade to provide the most protection for most of the unarmed Japanese soldiers, diplomats, official and trade representatives present in Samawa.

[edit] Arrival

Advance forces of the JGSDF arrived in Kuwait on January 9 and January 17, 2004 after an advance team from the Japanese Air Self-Defense Forces (JASDF) went to Kuwait from their Komaki base in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture in order to assess the security situation in Samawa on December 23, 2003. The first JGSDF troops arrived at the Dutch military base in Samawa on January 19, 2004.

[edit] Withdrawal

Japanese representatives are in talks with American, Australian and British military officials regarding the pullout of JGSDF forces in Samawa. Although Defense Agency officials at first denied a report that they would withdraw, they eventually said that all JGSDF soldiers of the JIRSG would leave Iraqi soil by March 2006, though this move has been recently refuted by Defense Agency representatives in order to see if a new Iraqi government could be esbatablished before the end of 2006.

Junichiro Koizumi had announced that Japanese forces could withdraw as early as July after a unity government in Iraq was established. He had announced that JSDF forces in Samawa would withdraw, citing the mission to be a success.

On June 25, JGSDF forces have begun withdrawal from Samawa. 600 soldiers have been pulled out to Kuwait.^[7]

Though the main bulk of JGSDF forces have left Samawa, JASDF forces have continued to play a support role. As of November, 2006, ASDF aircraft are assisting coalition forces by airlifting materials and personnel between Iraq and Kuwait. It has been reported that this mission will be extended until July 31 of 2007 ^[8]. Later on, it had been approved an extension for JASDF personnel to stay there for 2 more years in order to stabilize airlifting operations. ^[9]

[edit] Commanders

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(Formerly Lieutenant Colonel) Colonel Masahisa Sato - Commander of advance JGSDF forces (January 16, 2004 - February 27, 2004)
Colonel Koichiro Bansho - 2nd Commander of JGSDF forces (February 27, 2004 - unknown)
Colonel Masato Taura - 3rd Commander of JGSDF forces?

- Colonel Yasushi Kiyota was present with Colonel Sato, but was the head of a JGSDF liaison unit

[edit] Unit Deployments

Contingent	Deployment
1st Contingent	February 3 - May 26, 2004
2nd Contingent	May 27 - August 29, 2004
3rd Contingent	August 30 - December 5, 2004
4th Contingent	August 30, 2004 - February 27, 2005
5th Contingent	February 28 - May 27, 2005
6th Contingent	May 28 - August 22, 2005
7th Contingent	August 23 - November 11, 2005
8th Contigent	November 12, 2005 - February 17, 2006
9th Contingent	February 18 - May 25, 2006
10th Contingent	May 26 - July 16, 2006