In pictures: Japan's Iraq mission

1 of 6 An advance guard of 30 Japanese non-combat troops have left for the Gulf after a special ceremony in Tokyo

2 of 6 They bade farewell to their families, then departed for a humanitarian mission to rebuild Iraqi infrastructure

3 of 6 The full contingent of about 1,000 troops and air force should be in Iraq by March, the first Japanese soldiers in a combat zone since World War II

4 of 6 Huge transport planes are flying heavy equipment out of Chitose air base for use by the troops

5 of 6 The air base was one of several places where protesters gathered to oppose the deployment

6 of 6 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi admits the country is split, but said it would soon be united behind the troops