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The Japanese Foreign Ministry said it launched its crisis management office Thursday to collect information on the just-started US-led war on Iraq and to secure the safety of Japanese nationals in Iraq and its neighboring countries.
The office, headed by Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, comprises about 60 ministry officials, the ministry said.
The office will gather information on the war and will serve as a liaison for other ministries and Japanese overseas establishments, it said.
The Defense Agency, meanwhile, will convene an emergency meeting about one hour after Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's news conference to map out the course of measures it will take.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department also launched an office to secure the safety of people in Tokyo.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2003)
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