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NIGERIA-LAGOS-CHINESE-BUILT LIGHT RAIL PROJECT (CN)

(240326) -- LAGOS, March 26, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Chinese driver Wang Aofei (L) and trainee driver Awhangansi record data at the dispatch room in Marina Station of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line in Lagos, Nigeria, March 3, 2024. Undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) in July 2010 and completed in Dec. 2022, the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line corridor spans 13 km and covers five stations. It began commercial operation in Sept. of 2023. As a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Blue Line project is the first electrified railroad and cross-sea light rail project in West Africa. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

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UAW Launches A Historic Strike Against All Big 3 Automakers - US

NO FILM, NO VIDEO, NO TV, NO DOCUMENTARY - Members of the United Auto Workers union stand on the picket line outside the Wentzville General Motors plant, MO, USA on Friday, September 15, 2023. For the first time ever, the United Auto Workers union is striking against all Big Three automakers at once, after it failed to clinch a deal on a new contract by the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Thursday. Workers at three Midwest auto plants — a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Stellantis assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and part of a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich. — were the first to walk off the job under UAW president Shawn Fain's "stand up strike" strategy. Photo by David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

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UAW Launches A Historic Strike Against All Big 3 Automakers - US

NO FILM, NO VIDEO, NO TV, NO DOCUMENTARY - Members of the United Auto Workers union stand on the picket line outside the Wentzville General Motors plant, MO, USA on Friday, September 15, 2023. For the first time ever, the United Auto Workers union is striking against all Big Three automakers at once, after it failed to clinch a deal on a new contract by the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Thursday. Workers at three Midwest auto plants — a General Motors assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Stellantis assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and part of a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich. — were the first to walk off the job under UAW president Shawn Fain's "stand up strike" strategy. Photo by David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Shilianghe Reservoir Flood Discharge

LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - JULY 13, 2023 - Aerial photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows the first flood discharge of Shilianghe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Jiangsu province, in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, China. In recent days, the Shiliang River reservoir was affected by rainfall and upstream water, the water level rose rapidly, to 15 o 'clock on July 12, the water level of the reservoir rose to 23.17 meters. According to the upstream water and the current flood situation, the Shilianghe Reservoir management Office of Lianyungang City in accordance with the Lianyungang City prevention and control instruction, scientific dispatch, opened the south flood sluice at 16:00 on July 12, the flood discharge volume of 500 cubic meters per second. At 11:20 on July 13, the discharge rate was adjusted to 800 cubic meters per second.

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Kenya flags off 1st batch of anchovies destined for Chinese market

STORY: Kenya flags off 1st batch of anchovies destined for Chinese market DATELINE: June 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:58 LOCATION: KWALE, Kenya CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): JAMES ASANDE, Xinhua reporter 2. various of the factory 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SALIM MVURYA, Cabinet secretary for mining, blue economy and maritime affairs, Kenya 4. various of the factory 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (Swahili): HASSA MOHAMMED, Local resident STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): JAMES ASANDE, Xinhua reporter "The first consignment of anchovies has been flagged off from Ukunda, a town in the south of Kenya, to China. The anchovies will be showcased at the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in central China." Senior government officials, local administrators and fishermen graced the ceremony to officially dispatch the inaugural batch of anchovies to China, harvested from the Indian Ocean coastline. The export of anchovies sourced from the Kenyan coast to the Chinese market is anchored on a bilateral agreement sign

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A visit to "smart brain" of Xiong'an Business Service Center

STORY: A visit to "smart brain" of Xiong'an Business Service Center DATELINE: April 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:37 LOCATION: SHIJIAZHUANG, China CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Xiong'an Business Service Center Project 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): SUN PENGHUI, Director of Operation Management Center of Xiong'an Business Service Center STORYLINE: Xiong'an Business Service Center Project, the first iconic urban building complex in Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province, is an international leading smart ecological demonstration park. The center covers multiple business formats such as exhibition centers, business hotels, and commercial offices, and its operational management is a massive and complex project. The operation management center of Xiong'an Business Service Center covers an area of about 900 square meters, including a command hall, an information network room, and support rooms. It serves as the operation service center during regular days and as an emergency dispatch command center

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160 Japanese troops to leave for quake-hit Haiti

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force attend a ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2010, to dispatch them to quake-hit Haiti to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations and help with reconstruction activities. Some 160 GSDF members are scheduled to leave Japan later in the day as the first batch of the 350-member unit.

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(1)Diet OKs SDF dispatch to Iraq, budget for financing

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (R) waves after the House of Councillors endorsed the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq at its plenary session on Feb. 9. With the endorsement, Koizumi cleared most legal hurdles for Japan's first dispatch of SDF troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the SDF was inaugurated in 1954 after World War II.

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(2)Core Japan air unit heads to Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - People opposing the dispatch of the Self Defense Forces to Iraq (L) and others supporting it (R) rally in front of the Air Self-Defense Force Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture Jan. 22. The first unit of a main ASDF contingent left Japan for Kuwait the same day.

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(3)Japan's GSDF advance team leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba hands a banner to Col. Masahisa Sato, head of an advance team of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops which left for Iraq on Jan. 16 in what is the first dispatch of Japanese ground troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II. (Pool Photo)

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(1)Japan's GSDF advance team leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - An advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops (fore) get cheers from their family members and Defense Agency officials during a pep-up ceremony held at the Defense Agency headquarters in Tokyo prior to their departure for Iraq on Jan. 16. This is the first dispatch of Japanese ground troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II.

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(2)Japan's GSDF advance team leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - A Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) poses for a photograph with his son during a pep-up ceremony for an advance team of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops which left for Iraq on Jan. 16 in what is the first dispatch of Japanese ground troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II.

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(2)GSDF advance team to leave for Iraq Jan. 16

OSAKA, Japan - Police keep watch in an international flights lobby at Kansai airport Jan. 16 ahead of the departure of an advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force members for Iraq later in the day in what will be the first dispatch of Japanese troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II.

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(1)GSDF advance team to leave for Iraq Jan. 16

NARITA, Japan - Police step up security at Narita airport Jan. 16 as an advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force members is set to leave for Iraq later in the day in what will be the first dispatch of Japanese troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II.

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(4)GSDF advance team to leave for Iraq Jan. 16

TOKYO, Japan - Police keep watch on a Shinkansen bullet train platform at Tokyo Station on Jan. 16. Security around the country has been increased ahead of the departure later in the day of an advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force members for Iraq. It is the first dispatch of Japanese troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II.

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(2)Protesters demonstrate against SDF dispatch to Iraq

KOMAKI, Japan - Citizens protest the dispatch of Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq in front of the main gate of the Air Self-Defense Force base at Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 24. A send-off ceremony was held at the base the same day for the first unit of noncombat troop deployment.

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(1)Protesters demonstrate against SDF dispatch to Iraq

KOMAKI, Japan - Riot police (R) keep watch on student activists (L) protesting the dispatch of Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq, in front of the main gate of the Air Self-Defense Force base at Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 24. A send-off ceremony was held at the base the same day for the first unit of noncombat troop deployment there.

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Defense chief orders ASDF dispatch to Iraq

KOMAKI, Japan - A C130 transport plane rests at the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 19, the same day Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba ordered the dispatch of an ASDF unit to Iraq. It is the first time since World War II that Japan will send troops to a country where fighting is taking place.

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GSDF opens drill on Iraq dispatch to media

CHITOSE, Japan - The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) in Chitose, Hokkaido, opened a drill to the media in Hokkaido on Dec. 11 demonstrating the kinds of activities it may perform in Iraq using recoilless guns (L) and armored vehicles. It was the first such public display.

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2 ASDF C-130 aircraft arrive in Amman for aid to Iraq

AMMAN, Jordan - Japanese advance party members welcome one of the two C-130 transport planes of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) arriving at Marka airport in Amman, Jordan, on July 14 in the first dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) aircraft to assist in the reconstruction of postwar Iraq.

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GSDF members leave for E. Timor for PKOs

CHITOSE, Japan - Some 300 Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) members prepare to leave Hokkaido's Chitose base on March 22 for East Timor in the first dispatch of a main unit to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations (PKOs) there.

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GSDF troops leave for E. Timor

MURORAN, Japan - Forty-seven Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) personnel prepare to leave Hokkaido's Muroran port March 15 for East Timor aboard the 8,900-ton amphibious force ship Oosumi in the first dispatch of a main unit to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations there.

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SDF aircraft leave for Pakistan to supply relief to refugees

KOMAKI, Japan - Transport aircraft and personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) receive a send-off as they prepare to leave Komaki air base in Aichi Prefecture for Pakistan on Oct. 6 to airlift relief supplies for refugees from Afghanistan. The dispatch of aircraft and personnel with supply goods marked Japan's first ''visible'' contribution in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

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SDF can be sent to E. Timor if conditions met: Norota

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Agency chief Hosei Norota, speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Sept. 14, says that Japan can dispatch Self-Defense Forces personnel to East Timor only if conditions for Japanese participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations, as stipulated in a domestic law, are met. Norota stressed Japan should first focus on humanitarian and financial assistance to the violence-torn territory.

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China-Europe freight trains bring changes to border city

STORY: China-Europe freight trains bring changes to border city DATELINE: Oct. 8, 2022 LENGTH: 0:02:50 LOCATION: Hohhot, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Erenhot Railway Station 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG WENQING, Deputy director of Erenhot Railway Station 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): YUN ZHIJUN, Director of dispatch division of Erenhot Railway Station 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LIU JIAN, Director of general affairs department of Erenhot Customs 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): LIU YANG, Director of railway department of Erenhot Branch of Sinotrans North China Co., LTD 6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): SUN HAO, Deputy manager of Erenhot China International Travel Service Co., LTD STORYLINE: Since the first China-Europe freight train passed through Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, the city has seen rapid developments in the process. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG WENQING, Deputy director of Erenhot Railway Station "On January 1, 1956, Erenhot Railway Station was born with the openi

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Farm Opens On 13th Floor of Tokyo High-Rise

TOKYO, Japan - Aug. 9: A Tokyo personnel dispatch company unveiled a　new farm on the 13th floor of its Tokyo headquarters on Wednesday. Pasona Group Inc., based in the business district of Otemachi near JR Tokyo Station, has installed around 60 goats, cows, pigs and other animals in the facility, with a view to helping educate about and promote employment in the dairy farming industry. The first visitors, 20 children of company employees, were allowed to feed the goats and make ice cream. The firm hopes to use of the facility with a floor space of about 1,000 square meters, named "Otemachi Farm," for people attending seminars on the dairy industry, but will also allow members of the public to attend if they make a reservation. Four members of staff will manage the farm, while its maintenance is being carried out by a company based in Kyoto Prefecture.

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Vlog: What's a day in Shanghai's makeshift hospital like?

STORY: Vlog: What's a day in Shanghai's makeshift hospital like? DATELINE: April 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:04:30 LOCATION: SHANGHAI, China CATEGORY: HEALTH SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): MR. LAN, patient from Shanghai's makeshift hospital STORYLINE: SOUNDBITE (Chinese): MR LAN, COVID-19 patient in Shanghai's makeshift hospital "It's 5 o'clock in the morning and it's still dark inside the hospital. People who wake up first start to wash faces and brush teeth. At 6:30 am in the morning, it's time for breakfast. Volunteers are helping dispatch food. Today's breakfast includes vegetable buns, eggs and milk, the same as yesterday. After 7 o'clock, nurses start handing out nucleic acid test tubes. If testing negative for two days in a row, one doesn't need to test again. Fortunately, as the days go by, fewer and fewer patients need to do tests. At 8 am, doctors on duty come to each patient's bed. Here, every morning and evening, patients are required to scan a code to log in to an online consultation platform a

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Japan to send SDF planes to Afghanistan for evacuations

Japan will dispatch three Self-Defense Forces planes to Afghanistan to evacuate Japanese nationals and local staff working for the Japanese Embassy there and other organizations amid the political crisis after the Taliban militant took a grip on the country, the top government spokesman said Monday. Up to several hundred people will be evacuated in the mission, a diplomatic source said. It will be the first time the SDF has evacuated foreign nationals from a country, according to the Defense Ministry. Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said the government will send one C-2 transport aircraft on Monday and two C-130s on Tuesday. "Securing the safety of Japanese people (in Afghanistan) is our top priority, and we also deem it important to secure the safety of local staff of the embassy and JICA remaining there as they include those who wish to leave the country," Kato said.

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GSDF troops leave for E. Timor

MURORAN, Japan - Forty-seven Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) personnel prepare to leave Hokkaido's Muroran port March 15 for East Timor aboard the 8,900-ton amphibious force ship Oosumi in the first dispatch of a main unit to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations there.

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GSDF members leave for E. Timor for PKOs

CHITOSE, Japan - Some 300 Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) members prepare to leave Hokkaido's Chitose base on March 22 for East Timor in the first dispatch of a main unit to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations (PKOs) there.

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Kankeiren to step up regular exchanges with Chinese entrepreneurs

Kansai Economic Federation Chairman Shosuke Mori announces at a news conference in Osaka, western Japan, on July 6, 2015, a plan to establish a framework for regular exchanges between Japanese and Chinese entrepreneurs, the first of its kind by the western Japan business lobby. Kankeiren will also dispatch a delegation to China in mid-July. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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160 Japanese troops to leave for quake-hit Haiti

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force attend a ceremony at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo on Feb. 6, 2010, to dispatch them to quake-hit Haiti to engage in U.N. peacekeeping operations and help with reconstruction activities. Some 160 GSDF members are scheduled to leave Japan later in the day as the first batch of the 350-member unit. (Kyodo)

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(2)Core Japan air unit heads to Kuwait

KOMAKI, Japan - People opposing the dispatch of the Self Defense Forces to Iraq (L) and others supporting it (R) rally in front of the Air Self-Defense Force Komaki base in Aichi Prefecture Jan. 22. The first unit of a main ASDF contingent left Japan for Kuwait the same day. (Kyodo)

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(2)Protesters demonstrate against SDF dispatch to Iraq

KOMAKI, Japan - Citizens protest the dispatch of Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq in front of the main gate of the Air Self-Defense Force base at Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 24. A send-off ceremony was held at the base the same day for the first unit of noncombat troop deployment. (Kyodo)

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(2)Japan's GSDF advance team leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - A Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) poses for a photograph with his son during a pep-up ceremony for an advance team of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops which left for Iraq on Jan. 16 in what is the first dispatch of Japanese ground troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II. (Kyodo)

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(2)GSDF advance team to leave for Iraq Jan. 16

OSAKA, Japan - Police keep watch in an international flights lobby at Kansai airport Jan. 16 ahead of the departure of an advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force members for Iraq later in the day in what will be the first dispatch of Japanese troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II. (Kyodo)

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(1)Protesters demonstrate against SDF dispatch to Iraq

KOMAKI, Japan - Riot police (R) keep watch on student activists (L) protesting the dispatch of Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq, in front of the main gate of the Air Self-Defense Force base at Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 24. A send-off ceremony was held at the base the same day for the first unit of noncombat troop deployment there. (Kyodo)

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(1)Japan's GSDF advance team leaves for Iraq

TOKYO, Japan - An advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops (fore) get cheers from their family members and Defense Agency officials during a pep-up ceremony held at the Defense Agency headquarters in Tokyo prior to their departure for Iraq on Jan. 16. This is the first dispatch of Japanese ground troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II. (Kyodo)

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(1)GSDF advance team to leave for Iraq Jan. 16

NARITA, Japan - Police step up security at Narita airport Jan. 16 as an advance team of about 30 Ground Self-Defense Force members is set to leave for Iraq later in the day in what will be the first dispatch of Japanese troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the end of World War II. (Kyodo)

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(1)Diet OKs SDF dispatch to Iraq, budget for financing

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (R) waves after the House of Councillors endorsed the dispatch of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq at its plenary session on Feb. 9. With the endorsement, Koizumi cleared most legal hurdles for Japan's first dispatch of SDF troops to a country where fighting is taking place since the SDF was inaugurated in 1954 after World War II. (Kyodo)

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Japan's GSDF officers before dispatch to Egypt

Two senior Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force officers (front) attend a ceremony in Tokyo on April 23, 2019, to mark their dispatch to the headquarters of an international organization monitoring the cease-fire between Egypt and Israel in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. It is the first dispatch of GSDF officers under controversial security legislation that expanded the role of the Self-Defense Forces overseas. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo