Koizumi was quoted as saying that the government would dispatch its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to war-affected areas if a U.N. Security Council resolution requires Tokyo to do so.

"In considering how much money we need to help reconstruct post-conflict Iraq, we have to check if the government's reserve fund can cover the costs Japan must shoulder," the premier was quoted.

Koizumi added the government has yet to map out anything concrete about an extra budget for fiscal 2003, which began Tuesday.

He said the government would consult parliament about new legislation intend to give his administration a legal basis to send SDF troops to Iraq or the immediate region to help keep public order after the war.

Japan's constitution renounces war and dispatching the SDF overseas is a politically sensitive topic, Kyodo said.

The premier also repeated a call on Iraq to surrender to a US-led coalition force, voicing hope for the war to end as soon as possible, the news agency said.

"The outcome of the war is obvious. America and Britain will win," Koizumi said.

Koizumi dismissed speculation that he would visit Britain and France later this month to discuss with Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Jacques Chirac how to recreate a united international framework to help rebuild Iraq, Kyodo added.

"I have to watch the development of the war and parliamentary debates over key bills," Koizumi said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2003)