The Japanese cabinet is expected to decide whether to extend the humanitarian assistance mission in southern Iraq on Thursday, Japanese media reported Tuesday.

It is widely expected that the extension plan would be adopted as senior Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have repeatedly suggested such move and the defense chief gave a positive security evaluation based on his visit to Iraq.

Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono reported to Koizumi Tuesday morning following his swift inspection in the Ground Self-Defense Force's (GSDF) camp in Iraq's southern city of Samawah during last weekend.

Ono told a press conference after the meeting that the local security situation was rather stable despite some uncertainties.

According to the plan, the troops would be staying there for one year after the current mission expires next Tuesday.

The 500-strong ground troops started entering Iraq early this year to help with post-war rebuilding.

However, their operations have hardly been fulfilled due to continuous unrest in Iraq. The camp has be under several rocket attacks. Six Japanese were abducted in Iraq by militants who demanded a pullout. One was killed. The planned pullout of Dutch troops in charge of security locally fueled concerns that the GSDF would become a major target.

Whether the security situation is stable is a key factor for the mission as the legislation authorizing the deployment rules that the troops can only operate in noncombat areas, and any trade of fire, even if for self-defense, would be highly controversial given Japan's pacifist constitution.

Major Japanese media's polls showed that the majority of Japanese opposed the extension.

Source: Xinhua