Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > December, 2005

Japan-Iraq Summit Meeting Monday, December 5, 2005 JAPANESE Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Dr. Ibrahim Al Ja'fari Al Eshaiker, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, the two leaders discussed such matters as the assessment of Japan's assistance to Iraq, the situation in Iraq, and the activities conducted by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Iraq. Prime Minister Al Ja'fari, on behalf of Iraq, expressed his gratitude for the various kinds of assistance Japan has extended to date. On the situation in Iraq, Prime Minister Al Ja'fari said, "The political process aimed at democratization is making significant advancements in the post-Saddam regime days of Iraq. As for security, while we have been continuing to make utmost efforts in order to recover from the devastation, circumstances still keep us from extricating ourselves." In addition, on the activities of Japan's SDF, Prime Minister Al Ja'fari said, "The Iraqi people fully understand the nature of humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. I know this from what I saw and heard directly from the people in Samawah during my visit there. The SDF have assimilated into the community and are also spreading the Japanese culture. I am aware that the legislation to enable the deployment of the SDF to Iraq will expire on December 14. I urge Japan to extend the deadline," and requested the extension of the deployment of the SDF to Iraq. Prime Minister Koizumi said, "I have been notified that the SDF are carrying out their activities with pride. The welcome and appreciation extended by the Iraqi people serve as an encouragement above anything else. We must fully take into consideration the fact that the Prime Minister has expressed his strong appreciation on this occasion today and has made a direct request for the continuation of the activities. Japan would like to make a subjective judgment."