TOKYO, Iraq, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Wednesday defended his decision to send troops to Iraq despite calls for his resignation over the issue.
"You largely violated the basic idea of the constitution when you dispatched the SDF to Iraq where fighting continues," said Naoto Kan, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, referring to Japan's army -- the Self Defense Forces. His comments were quoted by the Kyodo news agency.
Japan's post-World War II constitution renounces war.
Wednesday's debate was the first in parliament since Japan sent troops to Iraq last month.
"I don't find the activities of the SDF unconstitutional," Koizumi said.
Japan has small advance teams from its Air Self-Defense Force and the Ground Self-Defense Force in Iraq and has plans to send more ground troops soon.
