Iraq: Will Japan Unwittingly Aid Kurdish Independence Drive?

The Kurds are again making noises about attaining independence from Iraq, but this time they are taking a more pragmatic approach than they have in the past — and also lobbying for the informal support of Japan. Likely Japanese involvement in Iraqi Kurdistan could provide for a secure export route for Iraqi/Kurdish crude while also giving the Kurds the economic strength they need to turn their region into an actual country.