Japanese public opposes keeping troops in Iraq-poll

[leftchick]

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-10-10T083149Z_01_MCC030699_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRAQ-JAPAN.xml&archived=False

TOKYO (Reuters) - Three out of four Japanese people oppose extending the non-combat mission of their country's 600 troops in southern Iraq beyond its planned end in December, a newspaper poll showed on Monday.

Opposition to extending the mission was strong even among those who back Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The daily Mainichi Shimbun said 77 percent of those surveyed opposed keeping Japan's military in Iraq beyond the end of Japan's self-imposed mandate on December 14, while 18 percent were in favour.

Some 66 percent of LDP supporters surveyed said they were opposed to an extension, said Mainichi.