The Boston Globe examines Japan's operations, successes and obstacles in Iraq, as well as its rising confidence and embrace of greater military responsibilities under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. While the Sunni hotbed of Fallujah brought us troubling news, the neglected Shiite city of Samawah seeks both progress and cooperation from their Japanese constabulary:

''The infrastructure of the town is very bad,'' said Khudr, a goldsmith and the coach of Samawah's basketball team. ''There is sewage everywhere. There are no gardens. There is no place for the children to play.''

He hopes the Japanese will change that, and not be spooked into a retreat by the continuing instability throughout Iraq.

''We created the friendship society because we had heard the Japanese were afraid for the safety of their troops,'' he said. ''We want them to know that they have friends here.''

In spite of our worry - yes, mine too - the overwhelming majority of Iraqis are undaunted by their former and would-be oppressors. They want our help - and the help of country after country that have, over the last several months, begun following President Bush's visionary lead.