TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -- Japan has tightened security at 650 vital facilities across the country, including nuclear power plants, government offices and U.S. facilities, to guard against a possible terrorist attack, a National Police Agency official said

There were two late-night explosions near the Defense Ministry in Tokyo this week, which police said could have been carried out in a protest at the dispatch of Japanese troops to Iraq

A leftist group calling itself "Kakumeigun" (Revolutionary Army) sent letters to Japanese media claiming responsibility, Kyodo news agency said Friday. The group said it was resorting to violence to prevent the deployment of Japanese troops to Iraq, Kyodo said

Big Booger wrote:Really though, what the hell is Japan doing in Iraq? Are they doing anything that makes a difference? I wonder... maybe, maybe not.

I wish the best for the Iraqi people. I hope they can recover their country and make Iraq a shining star in the Middle East much like Turkey or Egypt.