Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi claps hands as Col. Toshihiro Yamanaka, head of the last Ground Self-Defense Force unit sent to Iraq, returns the unit's flag to Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga (not in the photo) in a ceremony held in Tokyo on July 29 to mark completion of the GSDF's two-and-half-year mission in Samawah.

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (far L) looks on as Col. Toshihiro Yamanaka (far R), head of the last Ground Self-Defense Force unit sent to Iraq, returns the unit's flag to Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga (2nd from right) in a ceremony held in Tokyo on July 29 to mark completion of the GSDF's two-and-half-year mission in Samawah.

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi claps hands as Col. Toshihiro Yamanaka, head of the last Ground Self-Defense Force unit sent to Iraq, returns the unit's flag to Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga (not in the photo) in a ceremony held in Tokyo on July 29 to mark completion of the GSDF's two-and-half-year mission in Samawah. (Kyodo)

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

Koizumi praises GSDF personnel for Iraqi mission

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (far L) looks on as Col. Toshihiro Yamanaka (far R), head of the last Ground Self-Defense Force unit sent to Iraq, returns the unit's flag to Defense Agency Director General Fukushiro Nukaga (2nd from right) in a ceremony held in Tokyo on July 29 to mark completion of the GSDF's two-and-half-year mission in Samawah. (Kyodo)