Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reiterated on Tuesday his intention to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces to Iraq but admitted it will be "difficult" to draw demarcation lines between combat zones and noncombat zones in the country.
The law enacted in July that allows the SDF to go to Iraq to assist in reconstruction efforts stipulates units may only go into areas unaffected by combat.
Meanwhile, Koizumi, appearing before the House of Representatives Budget Committee, also said that applying pressure on North Korea through new legislation to stop remittances from Japan is "well worth considering."
The prime minister had so far shown a cautious stance toward economic sanctions.
The comments came as Koizumi and his Cabinet ministers were grilled by opposition lawmakers during the 4 1/2-hour committee session.
"I'd like (Japan) to not only make a financial contribution but also a human contribution" toward rebuilding Iraq, Koizumi said.
"When we determine it necessary, we'll have to send (the SDF)," he said.
However, he carefully avoided mentioning any specific timing for the dispatch, given that the security situation in Iraq has gone from bad to worse.
During the committee session, Kantoku Teruya, a Lower House member of the Social Democratic Party, argued that Iraq has now become like Vietnam, and any area where the SDF is stationed can immediately become a "combat zone" due to their presence alone.
"But if great attention is paid to security, in some cases such areas won't turn into combat zones. (Security measures) are very important."