Japan may ask US and British coalition forces to guard its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to be sent to Iraq for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts due to the worsening local security situation there.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi made the remark Sunday on a Fuji TV discussion program.

"Since there are terrorists attacking the International Red Cross, there could be cases where we cannot provide medical assistance at hospitals without protection from the US and British forces," Koizumi said.

The premier also reiterated his desire to legitimize the SDF as Japan's national military by revising the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.

Koizumi appeared on the show with leaders of other Japanese political parties as part of the ongoing campaigning for the House of Representatives general election next Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2003)