TOKYO, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The first group of the Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) core troop Tuesday afternoon left Chitose base in Hokkaido for Iraqi reconstruction.

    The 90-member group, which departed on a government jet operated by the Air Self-Defense Force, is scheduled to arrive Wednesday in Kuwait, NHK television reported.

    The group will travel overland to the southern Iraqi city of Samawah and are expected to arrive as early as Saturday, then it will begin to set up a camp there, the report said.

    The GSDF is expected to start providing water, medical aid and help in repairing public facilities in April in Samawah and its vicinity. Enditem