There is no question that Japan should do what it can to help bring stability and democracy to Iraq. Although the world remains divided over whether the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was justified, rebuilding the country is an international undertaking that should be supported by as many nations as possible -- including those that opposed the war.

A bill hastily drafted and submitted to the Diet by the government on Friday would allow Self-Defense Forces personnel to be dispatched to Iraq to support humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. To secure early passage of the ad hoc bill and a related revision bill, the three-way ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party intends to extend the current regular Diet session beyond June 18.

The so-called Iraq assistance bill is in line with a recent U.N. Security Council resolution that lifted economic sanctions against Iraq -- a resolution that also called for concerted international efforts to improve law and order in the war-ravaged country and provide humanitarian relief for its distressed people. Naturally, the draft legislation defines its objective as "contributing to the securing of peace and security in the international community through the reconstruction of Iraq."