Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has confirmed the death, in Iraq, of the 24-year-old Japanese hostage Shosei Koda. He has condemned the killing as a despicable act of terrorism. But, he has also vowed to keep Japanese troops there.

The prime minister's move has won the backing of the mainstream media and public. But it has also re-ignited debate over whether Tokyo should extend the troops' mission when their mandate expires in December.

Japan's biggest opposition Democratic Party, which was against the dispatch from the start, called on Sunday for the soldiers to be brought home when their mandate expires. Critics say the mission violates Japan's pacifist constitution.

Source: cctv.com