A team of Japanese soldiers was set to leave for Iraq today in what may become Japan's riskiest overseas military mission since World War Two.
After a series of send-off ceremonies in Tokyo, about 30 members of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force are set to leave for southeastern Iraq as an advance unit of a force that could include up to 1,000 troops.
The dispatch marks a historic shift away from Japan's purely defensive postwar security policy and poses a big political risk for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
"You're the pride of the Japanese people, the pride of the nation. I hope that you will complete your mission safely," Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, at times appearing almost overcome by emotion, told the 180 soldiers in attendance with about 100 relatives and top military brass.
Critics say sending the troops violates Japan's pacifist constitution. Opinion polls have shown that the public was largely against sending the troops at this time, and Mr Koizumi's government could face a backlash if casualties occur.