They say
the plan could allow Japanese troops to get drawn into the combat that has plagued US-led troops since the end of major hostilities at the start of May.
This would violate the country's pacifist constitution, which forbids the use of force to settle international conflicts except in self-defence.
Mr Koizumi and his cabinet ministers have insisted
the troops will only be sent to areas "free of military conflict" and would be involved in a non-combat role, mainly transporting supplies and ammunition.
But critics argue that such areas are ill-defined, given the level of attacks in Iraq.
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