Japan in Iraq

"Events on the ground in Samawa have continued to show deterioration, however. On June 26th, a road sign that had a picture of the Hinomaru on it was found to be blacked out with paint. On June 28th there was a demonstration in Samawa city by angry unemployed men that was fired on by the local police. Several were killed. Then, on July 3rd, a local sports group had planned to bring six busloads of Iraqi children to the GSDF camp to express support for the Japanese mission. However, threatening letters led to the cancellation of the event. Many speculated that these particular threats emanated from Muqtada al-Sadr loyalists. "
Juan Cole