Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in his New Year address on Monday that Japan would do its utmost to help build a democratic Iraq, while pushing ahead with economic reforms in the coming year.
"Japan will help the Iraqi people build a democratic government as soon as possible with their own hands. Japan will give as much help as we can to realise that goal," Koizumi told a news conference.
"We will provide our assistance based on the view that stability in the Middle East will lead to global peace and stability," he added.
A 15-member team from Japan's air force has been in Kuwait since late December, to pave the way for shipment of goods and humanitarian aid to southern Iraq as part of the overall estimated 1,000-strong deployment to the region.
The prime minister also defended his surprise New Year visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine honouring the nation's war dead, including 14 war criminals, a move that sparked protests from Asian neighbours who suffered under Japan's war-time aggression.
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