The JCLU sent a statement to the government in December 2003 to express opposition to the decision to send Self Defense Forces to Iraq. In the statement, JCLU specified the following four points:
- Sending the SDF would be against both domestic and international laws and thus can not be justified in any way; it goes beyond the SDF's main role of "defending the country", which is specified under the SDF Law and limited by Article 9 of the Constitution in Japan.
- It would mean that Japan takes part in the U.S. occupation policy in Iraq without general acceptance by the international community and it would change the nature of humanitarian aid and reconstruction support that has been provided based on Japanese neutrality.
- It is doubtful if the decision was taken after sufficient examination and analysis of the situation e.g. the possibility that the SDF would be involved in armed conflict.)
- The government should not take any measures against anticipated retaliation that would threaten the civil liberties of the Japanese or foreign residents in Japan such as Muslim and Muslimah communities.