Japan to hold off Iraq troop withdrawal

TOKYO --Japan's foreign minister said Sunday the withdrawal of Japanese troops from southern Iraq will depend on stability in that country, denying local media reports that Tokyo might pull out by May.

Japanese officials have said they will carefully consider security conditions, as well as plans of British and Australian troops stationed there, before deciding when it will withdraw its 600 troops from the Southern Iraqi city of Samawah.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso echoed the caution on a TV Asahi talk show, refuting media reports of an imminent withdrawal.

"The creation of the Iraqi government is in no way complete ... We can't make definite decisions on withdrawal until the security and political situation becomes clearer," Aso said. "It's most desirable that we coordinate our withdrawal with British and Australian troops."

The Japanese deployment -- whose actions are strictly limited by the country's pacifist constitution -- is heavily dependent on British and Australian troops for security.

Asked whether the withdrawal would take place before Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's term ends in September, Aso said that would depend on Iraq's stability.

Japan has been a staunch supporter of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and dispatched troops there in 2004 to purify water and carry out other humanitarian tasks.

The Cabinet approved an extension of that mission in December, authorizing soldiers to stay in Iraq through the end of this year.

But public opinion polls show the majority of Japanese oppose the mission, which has been criticized as a violation of the pacifist constitution. Many say the deployment has made Japan a target for terrorism.

Iraq held parliamentary elections in December, but Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians are locked in a stalemate over the makeup of the new government, while sectarian violence has increased.