News: "SAMAWA, Iraq (Reuters) - As a few dozen Japanese troops drove through Iraq Monday at the start of a controversial deployment, they were far outnumbered by scores of Japanese journalists scouring the deserts to find them.
>>>The dispatch of troops has caused deep controversy in anti-war Japan, where the pacifist constitution prevents soldiers from engaging in combat.
As a result, scores of Japanese media have flooded into the country to cover the twists and turns of the unfolding drama, which could take weeks as the force builds from the advance party of about 35 to an eventual deployment of around 1,000.
After crossing the border with Kuwait, the advance party was escorted by Dutch soldiers on its way to Samawa.
The Japanese force will stay with the Dutch at a camp on the outskirts of Samawa, a dusty market town on the banks of the Euphrates, until their own camp is set up nearby.
MOUNTING EXCITEMENT
Residents of Samawa have been growing ever more excited in recent days at the prospect of the Japanese coming.
Banners have been hung across streets in the center of the town with greetings in both Arabic and Japanese. 'Along with our Japanese friends, we will help to rebuild this city,' reads one; 'Welcome to the Self-Defense Force,' proclaims another.
The excitement is built largely on the expectation of jobs, with many townspeople hoping that Japanese corporations like Sony and Toshiba will be only a few steps behind the soldiers.
'Everyone is thinking that they would like to work for a big Japanese company, like Hitachi,' said Ahmed Kassim, a young man running a street stall. 'The Japanese will give us lots of jobs.' "
>>>The dispatch of troops has caused deep controversy in anti-war Japan, where the pacifist constitution prevents soldiers from engaging in combat.
As a result, scores of Japanese media have flooded into the country to cover the twists and turns of the unfolding drama, which could take weeks as the force builds from the advance party of about 35 to an eventual deployment of around 1,000.
After crossing the border with Kuwait, the advance party was escorted by Dutch soldiers on its way to Samawa.
The Japanese force will stay with the Dutch at a camp on the outskirts of Samawa, a dusty market town on the banks of the Euphrates, until their own camp is set up nearby.
MOUNTING EXCITEMENT
Residents of Samawa have been growing ever more excited in recent days at the prospect of the Japanese coming.
Banners have been hung across streets in the center of the town with greetings in both Arabic and Japanese. 'Along with our Japanese friends, we will help to rebuild this city,' reads one; 'Welcome to the Self-Defense Force,' proclaims another.
The excitement is built largely on the expectation of jobs, with many townspeople hoping that Japanese corporations like Sony and Toshiba will be only a few steps behind the soldiers.
'Everyone is thinking that they would like to work for a big Japanese company, like Hitachi,' said Ahmed Kassim, a young man running a street stall. 'The Japanese will give us lots of jobs.' "
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