SDF personnel suicide cases attributed to Iraq War

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SDF personnel suicide cases attributed to Iraq War
Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Seven out of 5,500 Self-Defense Forces personnel who served in Iraq have killed themselves. These suicide cases are believed to be attributable to their experiences in Iraq war zones.

Last year, then Defense Agency Director-General Nukaga Fukushiro in the Diet admitted that the suicide rate of the SDF personnel who served in Iraq is about twice as that of all SDF personnel.

In addition to the suicide cases, we need to look into the fact that among the SDF personnel who returned from Iraq many are believed to have attempted suicide, suffer from depression, or have become unable to adapt to workplaces, though the true number of cases is unknown.

It is conceivable that they have become mentally ill due to the stress caused by the danger in Iraq of being attacked.

The government, however, has shown no willingness to deal with their suffering. It asserts that these suicide cases have nothing to do with the mission in Iraq.

Promptly withdraw Air SDF from Iraq!

The U.S. Bush administration is dispatching another 20,000 troops to Iraq. U.S. forces' inhumane and indiscriminate attacks will inevitably intensify.

Since the Air SDF is carrying out transportation activities in Iraq in support of the U.S. combat operations, it is obvious that the ASDF will face Iraqi people's increasing anger.

Japan must end the dispatch of SDF to Iraq in subordination to the U.S., and immediately pull them out of the country.
- Akahata, January 23, 2007