Japan has decided to withdraw its troops from Iraq, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced today.
The decision signals the ending of Japanese military's riskiest and most ambitious overseas mission since the second World War.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announcing the plan to withdraw Japan's troops from Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said his forces would take over security from July in the southern province of Muthanna, where the British oversee a multinational contingent that includes Japanese troops.
Japan's troop deployment won praise from the United States, a close ally, but it was opposed by many at home including critics who said the move violated Japan's pacifist constitution.
The decision to withdraw comes ahead of Mr Koizumi's visit to Washington for talks with President Bush in late June and the end of his term as ruling party president, and hence as prime minister, in September.
No Japanese soldiers have been killed or wounded in Iraq, but Mr Koizumi faced a political crisis in 2004 when three Japanese civilians were taken hostage by insurgents. The three, as well as two others taken hostage later, were released unharmed.
In all, six Japanese citizens, including two diplomats, have been killed by insurgents in Iraq.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said the troops had won high marks for their military discipline. "I think such views have made a very big contribution to improving the brand image of Japan as a country."