Japan welcomes death sentence on Saddam

Japan on Monday welcomed a death sentence on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki saying, "We appreciate the verdict was handed down under the new Iraqi laws. We will keep paying close attention to the development of the trial."

The government spokesman also said, "While we realize that security in Iraq is still in a severe state, we will maintain commitment to the Iraqi issues in cooperation with the international society."