The number of Japanese nationals in Iraq fell to 38 as of Sunday morning after three, including a "human shield," left the country for Syria the previous day, the Foreign Ministry said.
The number of human shields -- who are protesting the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq -- in Baghdad rose to 10, as two Japanese joined eight others stationed at a water-purification facility and a power substation. In addition to the one who left Saturday for Syria, two others had left the country on Thursday.
Of the 38 Japanese, 10 are human shields, 22 are journalists and six are members of nongovernmental organizations who are conducting medical relief activities in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq with the help of the Japanese government.