SDF's mission to wind down
(From The Japan Times Sept. 24 issue)

活動不透明なまま空自イラク撤収へ

The government has decided to terminate the Air Self-Defense Force's aerial transportation mission in Iraq by yearend, citing the expiration of the U. N. resolution authorizing multinational forces' deployment in Iraq as well as the improved security situation there. Fortunately, the ASDF has not suffered any casualties so far, although its activities have been largely shrouded in secrecy. For the government to finish this mission without making public the details of the ASDF's activities would be detrimental to the nation's constitutional order.

On the basis of a special law to provide humanitarian assistance for Iraqi reconstruction, an ASDF unit that includes three C-130 air transports was sent to Kuwait. Although its mission was first limited to southern Iraq, ASDF flights were later expanded to Baghdad and Arbil in northern Iraq. As of Sept. 10, the C-130s had transported multinational force soldiers and U.N. workers, and 640 tons of supplies in 768 trips. But the government has not given a full explanation of this mission. (A Ground Self-Defense Force unit ended its mission in Samawah in southern Iraq in July 2006.)

The special law requires the Self-Defense Forces to carry out their missions in noncombat zones, and bans the SDF from using force and threat in its activities. But then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made constitutionally problematic statements in the Diet: "How can I tell which area is a noncombat zone and which area a combat zone?" and "The area where the SDF is carrying out its activities is a noncombat zone."

In its ruling on a civil lawsuit, the Nagoya High Court in April 2007 said the ASDF's mission included activities that violated the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution. The justification for the Iraq war ― the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as cited by the United States ― has not been demonstrated.

Japan should seek ways to provide effective reconstruction to Iraq that remain true to the spirit of the Constitution. These can include ceasefire monitoring, assistance to refugees and administrative matters, training and education, and public health.

航空自衛隊が参加するイラク駐留根拠となる国連決議の期限切れで、政府は現地で空輸活動を続ける空自の年内撤収を発表した。

イラク復興支援特別措置法に基づき、C130輸送機3機を含む空自はクウェートを拠点にバグダッドや北部アルビルへ国連と多国籍軍兵員、物資を輸送してきたが、活動の全容は開示されていない（陸自は2006年にサマワから撤退）。

同法は戦闘地域での自衛隊活動を禁じているが、名古屋高裁は、自衛隊イラク派兵は憲法9条に違反との判決を下している。政府は憲法の下、停戦監視、難民・行政支援、教育、公衆衛生などの支援を目指すべきだ。