LET’S BE THANKFUL TO JAPAN:

TOKYO — Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told his nation Tuesday that it “must be a trustworthy ally of the U.S.” as his Cabinet approved sending about 600 soldiers from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to Iraq.

“For Japan to achieve peace and security and for the country to prosper, it is necessary both to strengthen the U.S. alliance and to cooperate with international society,” Koizumi said at a news conference broadcast live on all major Japanese television channels. “To do this, we must offer deeds, not just words.”

Perhaps Schroeder and Chirac should take note.