Official Residence TOP
Official Residence  
Iraq
(Provisional translation)

The Basic Plan regarding the Response Measures based on the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq

December 8, 2005
(Cabinet Decision)


1. Basic Principles

 On March 20 2003, the United States and other countries began to use force against Iraq as the last resort to remove the threat posed by Iraq against peace and security of the International community. Major combat operations in Iraq have ended, and the international community has been actively engaged in reconstruction assistance to Iraq.

 That Iraq be rebuilt as a peaceful and democratic state while maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity is of utmost importance not only for the people of Iraq and for peace and stability of the Middle East, but also for securing peace and stability of the international community including Japan which depends on the Middle East for nearly 90% of its oil import.

 Japan thus took the position that it would extend as much assistance as possible, on its own initiative and actively, taking into account the will of the international community expressed in United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1483 and 1511, so that Iraq will be reconstructed as early as possible by the people of Iraq themselves. Moreover, full sovereignty of Iraq was recovered and a new phase was opened for full-fledged reconstruction as expressed in UNSCR 1546, and Japan has further provided assistance in order to support such efforts by the Iraqi people and the international community as well as to ensure firm progress of the rebuilding of Iraq. The political process has been making progress as shown by the approval of the new Constitution of Iraq, and the Iraqi security forces have also been developing. However, reconstruction of Iraq is still on the way. Taking into account the adoption of UNSCR 1637, which extended the mandate of the Multinational Force for another year at the request of by Iraqi Interim Government, Japan should take its responsibility as a member of the international community.

 As a part of such efforts, the government will carry out activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance and other response measures, based on the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq (Law No.137 of 2003, hereinafter referred to as "the Special Measures Law.")


2. Matters Regarding Implementation of Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance

(1) Basic Matters Regarding Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance

 Iraq, in the first place, was ravaged by a quarter century of oppressive rule, and development of its social infrastructure was delayed. The government collapsed following the use of force. At present, its people are in a difficult situation, making the need for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance extremely profound.In particular, in the area of medical services, there are shortfalls regarding operation, maintenance and management of hospitals including insufficiency in medical equipment. Regarding supply of electricity and water, supply networks at the national level are not functioning sufficiently, making these major issues in certain regions.

 Therefore, expeditious assistance centering on these are necessary. Furthermore, in addition to assistance to meet such short-term needs, assistance that would lead to a more full-fledged development of social infrastructure is also necessary.

 In view of such a situation, Japan will conduct activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance as follows.

 In order to smoothly conduct these activities, and to contribute to the stability and improvement of the lives of the people of Iraq, amongst others, the troops of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) and Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq will cooperate closely with each other as well as with the overseas establishments concerned, and will collaborate on reconstruction assistance in Iraq.

 As forming a good relationship with the local community is also highly important in delivering reconstruction assistance, officials to be dispatched by Japan, especially the troops of SDF will make as much effort as possible to this end in the area where their camp is located.


(2) Categories and Contents of Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance

A. Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance to be Conducted by the Troops of SDF

 Categories and contents of activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by the troops of SDF shall be as follows. These activities will be conducted carefully and in a flexible manner, with safety measures to be taken in view of the nature and form of the activities to be conducted.

(a) Medical Services (activities stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 1 of the Special Measures Law)

 To provide advice and guidance to Iraqi doctors and others on operation, maintenance and management of hospitals, as well as to provide medical care to the local residents and others, depending on the situation.

(b) Water supply (activities stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 5 of the Special Measures Law)

 To purify water from rivers and other sources, and to distribute it to the residents of areas where there is a shortfall in daily water supply.

(c) Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Public Facilities including Schools (activities stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 3 of the Special Measures Law)

 To conduct repair work on public facilities such as schools, irrigation channels and roads.

(d) Transportation of Humanitarian and Reconstruction related Goods (activities stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 5 of the Special Measures Law)

 To conduct transportation of materials such as those for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes by aircraft.

 Also to conduct transportation of materials such as those for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes by vehicles and vessels insofar as it does not affect the activities listed from (a) to (c) above.

B. Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance to be Conducted by Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq

 Categories and contents of activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq will be as follows. These activities will be conducted carefully and in a flexible manner with full assessment of the security situation, with safety measures to be taken in view of the nature and form of the activities to be conducted, and under the premise that the security of officials conducting the activity will be ensured.

(a) Medical Services (activities stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 1 of the Special Measures Law)

 To provide advice and guidance to Iraqi doctors and others on operation, maintenance and management of hospitals with the goal of rehabilitating the functions of major hospitals in Iraq, so as to improve the medical environment in the country.

(b) Improvement in Irrigation (activities stipulated under Article 3, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph 5 of the Special Measures Law)

 To conduct construction activities such as setting up water purification and supply equipment that can be maintained by the local residents themselves. These activities will be carried out after conducting a survey on the current situation of irrigation and sources of water, and with due consideration to coordination with water supply to be carried out by the troops of SDF described in paragraph A.(b) above.

(3) Matters Regarding the Range of Areas in which Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Are to Be Implemented and the Designation of the Said Areas

A. Matters Regarding the Range of Areas in which troops of SDF Conduct Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance and the Designation of the Said Areas

(a) Activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by the troops of SDF shall be implemented in areas where combat is not taking place and is not expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are to be conducted. Security of the troops of SDF must be ensured when implementing the said activities.

 Toward this end, when designating the areas in which the troops of SDF conduct activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance within the range as provided in (b), the Director-General of the Defense Agency shall fully consider the contents of the activities, overall situation of the activities conducted by other countries and relevant organizations including measures for ensuring security, as well as the security situation on the ground. In doing so, activities to be carried out in areas with severe security situations shall be implemented after evaluating the development of the situation with special care.

(b) The range of areas in which the troops of SDF conduct activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance shall be the places and areas listed below as well as the following areas: places of transit which lie in the area between the territory of Japan and the place of the mission; places where personnel are boarded and disembarked; places where goods are loaded and unloaded or procured; areas where training concerning the activities of the troops is conducted; places where equipment is repaired; and areas of transit when moving between these places and areas.

 In addition to the aforementioned, the members of SDF who conduct, as supplementary activities of the troops, intelligence gathering, communication and coordination activities, which are necessary for the safe and proper implementation of the activities of the troops, shall be able to perform their activities in the facilities of the coalition forces headquarters in Baghdad, the neighboring countries of Iraq and coastal states of the Persian Gulf, as well as the places and areas of transit when moving and communicating between the aforementioned places or areas, as well as between the aforementioned places or areas and the places or areas listed below.

a) Medical Services, Water supply and Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Public Facilities such as Schools

Southeastern part of Iraq, centering around Al Muthanna province

b) Transportation of Humanitarian and Reconstruction Related Goods and Other Goods

As for transportation by aircraft; airport facilities within Kuwait and Iraq (Basrah Airfield, Baghdad Airfield, Balad Airfield, and Mosul Airfield, and others)
As for ground transportation; Southeastern part of Iraq, centering around Al Muthanna province
As for transportation by vessels; Indian Ocean, including the Persian Gulf

B. Matters Regarding the Range of Areas in which Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq Conduct Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance and the Designation of the Said Areas

(a) Activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq shall be implemented in areas where combat is not taking place and is not expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are to be conducted. Security of Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq must be ensured when implementing the said activities.

 Toward this end, when designating the areas in which Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq conduct activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance within the range of as provided in (b), the Prime Minister shall fully consider the contents of the activities, overall situation of the activities conducted by other countries and relevant organizations including measures for ensuring security, as well as the security situation on the ground. In doing so, activities to be carried out in areas with severe security situations shall be implemented after evaluating the development of the situation with special care.

(b) The range of areas in which Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq conduct activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance shall be the places and areas listed below as well as the following areas: places of transit which lie in the area between the territory of Japan and the places and areas listed below as well as the areas of transit when moving between these places or areas.

a) Medical Services

Hospitals and medical facilities in Iraq

b) Improvement in Irrigation

Southeastern part of Iraq, centering around Al Muthanna province


(4) Size, Composition, Equipment, and Duration of Dispatch of Troops of SDF that Conduct Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Territories of Foreign Countries

A. Size, Composition, and Equipment

(a) Ground SDF Troops that Conduct the Medical Services, Water supply, and Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Public Facilities such as Schools Listed from (2)A.(a) to (c)

 The number of personnel in the troops shall be no greater than 600. When rotating the personnel, additional number of personnel may be added as necessary for the rotation.

 The troops shall be equipped with vehicles suitable for the activities listed from (2)A.(a) to (c), numbering no greater than 200 including bulldozers, wheeled armored personnel carriers, light armored mobile vehicles, and others, and as many pistols, rifles, machine guns, recoilless rifles, light anti-tank munitions as necessary for ensuring security depending on the size of the troops, and other equipment required for implementing their activities. When replacing the equipment, additional number of equipment may be added as necessary for the said replacement.

(b) Air SDF Troops that Conduct the transportation, Supply, and Other Activities for the Ground SDF Troops as Stipulated in (a) and the Air Transportation of the Humanitarian and Reconstruction Related Goods and Other Goods as Stipulated in (2)A.(d)

 The troops shall consist of no greater than 8 transport aircraft and other aircraft suitable for transportation and the number of personnel shall be limited within the range necessary for the operation of these aircraft.

 The troops shall be equipped with as many pistols, rifles, machine guns as necessary for ensuring security, and other equipment required for implementing their activities depending on the size of the troops. When replacing the equipment, additional number of equipment may be added as necessary for the said replacement.

(c) Maritime SDF Troops that Conduct the Transportation, Supply, and Other Activities by Vessels for the Ground SDF Troops as Stipulated in (a)

 The troops shall consist of no greater than 2 transport ships and other vessels suitable for transportation and 2 destroyers and the number of personnel shall be limited within the range necessary for the operation of these vessels.

 The Troops shall possess other equipment necessary for the implementation of their activities.

B. Duration of Dispatch

The duration of dispatch shall be from December 15, 2003 to December 14, 2006.

 The government shall act appropriately regarding the activities of the SDF over this term of dispatch, by carefully evaluating the progress of the political process in Iraq such as the holding of the election for the National Assembly and the establishment of the new government, security situation on the ground including the transfer of authority to the Iraqi security forces, and the activities and changes of posture of the Multinational Force such as the UK and Australian forces carrying out their tasks in Al-Muthanna, as well as considering the level of progress of reconstruction in the area.


(5) Important Matters Regarding the Procurement of Goods Other Than Those Goods Which Are or Have Been Utilized by the Relevant Administrative Agencies for Their Work or Operations with a view to Transferring Them to the United Nations and Others

 The government shall procure the electric generators necessary for their installation to public facilities as well as water purification and supply facilities necessary for the improvement of irrigation that are to be conducted by Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq.

(6) Other Important Matters Regarding the Implementation of the Activities for Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance

A. Including in designating the areas in which activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance are to be conducted, and in order to ensure adequate implementation of the said activities, Japan shall sufficiently consult and closely communicate with the United Nations, international organizations related to humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, relevant countries as well as organizations responsible for administration in Iraq and others.

B. Activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq as stipulated in (2)B. shall be implemented carefully and in a flexible manner during the necessary period that falls between December 15, 2003 and December 14, 2006, while assessing the security situation and paying due regard to ensuring security, including the form of implementation, location for accommodation of personnel, security arrangements, and equipment to be carried, and provided that security is ensured.

C. The government shall conduct necessary surveys concerning the development of Iraq's social infrastructure such as key industrial facilities and facilities related to daily life such as electricity power plants and cement plants, provided that security is ensured, and based on their results, endeavor to achieve rehabilitation and maintenance of these facilities through the activities of Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq

D. In carrying out humanitarian and reconstruction assistance activities by the SDF as provided (2)A. above, the government shall take appropriate measures as necessary in order to ensure the security of the activities, taking into account security situation on the ground, activities of the MNF and other factors.


3. Implementation of Support Activities for Ensuring Security

(1) Basic Matters Regarding the Implementation of Support Activities for Ensuring Security, Categories and Contents of the Activities, Matters Regarding the Range of Areas in which the Activities are to be Implemented, and the Designation of the Said Areas, as well as Size, Composition, Equipment and Duration of Dispatch of Troops of SDF That Conduct the Activities in Territories of Foreign Countries

A. Japan shall implement its response measures focusing on activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. On the other hand, in order to support the UN Member States' activities to restore security and stability in Iraq, the SDF troops that conduct the activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance as stipulated in 2(4)A, may conduct medical services, transportation, storage of goods/stockpiling, communications, construction, repair/maintenance, supply and decontamination activities as stipulated in Article 3, paragraph 3 of the Special Measures Law, insofar as it does not affect the accomplishment of their assigned activities.

B. The range of the areas in which support activities for ensuring security by SDF troops shall be the same as that stipulated in 2(3)A designated as the areas in which activities for humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to be conducted by SDF troops as stipulated in 2(4)A.

 The SDF units' support activities for ensuring security shall be implemented in the areas where combat is not taking place and is not expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are to be conducted there. Security of the SDF troops must be ensured when implementing the said activities.

 Toward this end, when designating the areas in which SDF troops conduct support activities for ensuring security within the range stated above, the Director-General of the Defense Agency shall fully consider the contents of the activities, the overall situation of the activities conducted by other countries and relevant organizations including measures for ensuring security, as well as the security situation on the ground. In doing so, activities to be carried out in areas with severe security situations shall be implemented after evaluating the development of the situations with special care.


(2) Other Important Matters Regarding Support Activities for Ensuring Security

A. Japan shall sufficiently consult and closely communicate with the United Nations, international organizations related to humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, relevant countries, as well as organizations responsible for administration in Iraq and others in order to ensure adequate implementation of the said activities, including the designation of the areas in which support activities for ensuring security are to be conducted.

B. In carrying out support activities for ensuring security by the SDF as provided (2)A above, the government shall take appropriate measures as necessary in order to ensure the security of the activities, taking into account security situation, on the ground, activities of the MNF and other factors.


4. Matters Regarding Coordination and Cooperation among the Relevant Administrative Agencies for the Implementation of Response Measures

 To promote the response measures based on the Special Measures Law in a comprehensive and effective manner, and to ensure the safety of SDF troops and Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq dispatched under the said law, relevant administrative agencies, including the Defense Agency / SDF, the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shall maintain close coordination and conduct necessary cooperation centering around the Cabinet Secretariat, including the matters listed below.

(1) SDF troops and Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq dispatched, and relevant overseas establishments, will liaise closely with each other, including exchange of information necessary for carrying out the activities and ensuring security, and cooperate in working to deliver reconstruction assistance to Iraq.

(2) The relevant administrative agencies shall closely communicate with each other concerning the overall situation of activities by other countries in the areas in which SDF troops or Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq conduct the activities based on the Special Measures Law and their vicinities, information on the security situation on the ground, and other necessary information for conducting the activities based on the said law and for ensuring safety, obtained through the execution of their activities in their respective areas of competence.

(3) The Heads of relevant administrative agencies shall cooperate to the extent that it does not affect the execution of their activities in their respective areas of competence when he (or she) is requested by the Prime Minister or the Director-General of the Defense Agency to dispatch officials that have the skills and ability, among others, that are necessary to conduct the activities based on the Special Measures Law, to transfer the control over the goods under his (or her) control and to cooperate by other means.

(4) The Prime Minister shall endeavor to enlist a wide range of human resources in recruiting Support Personnel for Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq, with the cooperation of relevant administrative agencies, local governments or private organizations. The Heads of relevant administrative agencies shall provide necessary cooperation in this regard.

(5) The Heads of overseas establishments designated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall provide necessary cooperation for conducting the activities based on the Special Measures Law and for ensuring safety upon instructions by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.