Japanese Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono on Friday gave an order to send about 1,000 troops to help with southern Asian tsunami relief, Kyodo News reported.

Earlier the day, Ono told a press conference that he will send 1,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel to participate in the relief efforts.

"If we need to send around 1,000, we can respond promptly at any time," Ono said.

The troops will involve ground, air and maritime forces, making the assistance operation the largest of the kind since Japan first sent troops overseas in early 1990s.

Under the order, about 640 Maritime Self-Defense Force members on three vessels and 220 Ground Self-Defense Force troops will leave Japan next week and arrive in Indonesia later this month, the report said.

Japan has fielded three warships and vessels, about 40 air force personnel and some assistance teams.

To dispatch forces abroad is controversial for Japan considering its aggression in World War II and its current pacifist constitution.

Besides, Tokyo has pledged 500 million US dollars in grants forthe disaster relief efforts.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2005)