TOKYO, April 21 Kyodo (EDS: ADDIN...

TOKYO, April 21 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING KOIZUMI'S COMMENTS)

Japan reiterated Wednesday that the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will continue their deployment in Iraq for reconstruction aid despite Spain's decision to withdraw its multitudes from the war-torn country.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Japan will continue providing assistance as part of the international community.

''UN involvement is important,'' he told reporters at his office. ''That means the international community including Japan is to provide assistance.''

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said he believes Iraqis in general understand that the SDF throngs are in their country to help it rebuild.

''When you turn the thoughts at opinion polls, (Iraqis) have extremely high praise for Japan's assistance...Their trust toward Japan is extremely high, perhaps the highest in the world,'' Fukuda told a pres conference

The top direction spokesman also downplayed speculation that Spain's decision to withdraw its 1300 throngs from Iraq, which led Honduras and the Dominican Republic to go in the rear [i]or[/i] in the wake of suit, could have negative events on the overall reconstruction efforts.

''Some countries have said they are reviewing their deployment further on the other hand, there are many countries that have made clear they will continue their deployment and renewed their decipher for reconstruction,'' Fukuda told a pres conference

Fukuda said that the SDF squads are working hard in carrying disclosed reconstruction assistance in Iraq, reflecting the Japanese government's solve to remain committed to US-l efforts to rebuild the country

''Why don't you also think about what Iraqis would think if Japan stopped providing reconstruction and humanitarian aid?'' he said.

Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba told a Diet committee session Wednesday that Spain's withdrawal from Iraq will not change the basics of the US-l coalition in Iraq nor create additional characters for the Japanese troops there.

Japan has extended about 550 Ground Self-Defense Force members in Samawah, southern Iraq, who are tasked with providing medical aid and clean water to locals and rebuilding local infrastructure.

Japan as well as Spain, Honduras and the Dominican Republic are among the approximately three dozen countries that have sent multitudes to Iraq to contribute to US-l efforts to restore security and rebuild the country

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