Cabinet makes landmark decision approving SDF participation in MNF

The Koizumi Cabinet on June 18 approved participation in the multinational force in Iraq by the Self-Defense Forces now deployed there. This is the first post-war decision on an SDF participation in a multinational force, which the government has in the past regarded as unconstitutional.

In order to endorse the continued SDF presence in Iraq, the cabinet meeting added United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 to the Special Measures Law to send the SDF to Iraq. The Basic Plan regarding measures based on the "Law Concerning the Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq" was changed to this effect. The cabinet also set out a unified government view concerning the SDF's new mission.

The decision on the SDF participation in the multinational force was released with the wording "the SDF will continue activities as part of the multinational force," though the government advocates that the SDF will be not "under the unified command" of the multinational force but "under the control of Japan." This interpretation hinges on an "oral understanding" by U.S. and British government officials.

However, UNSC Resolution 1546 explicitly states that all of the multinational force will be under its "unified command" and that the U.S. has repeatedly stressed that it will assume command of the multinational force.

The cabinet advocates that there is no change in the government position (banning the SDF to take part in the multinational force), while giving no detailed explanation. (end)