The troops, led by Ground Self-Defense Force Colonel Koichiro Bansho, finished their three-month tour of duty which began in February.

"We were extremely proud that we were able to be part of this mission," Bansho said after arriving at Chitose airbase on the northernmost main Japanese island of Hokkaido.

As gentle spring rain fell, Bansho said he was happy to be back home.

"Fresh greenery is bright and beautiful. I am very happy," he told reporters.

The soldiers had been based in the Shiite city of Samawa, some 270 kilometers (170 miles) south of Baghdad and where they were engaged in a purely humanitarian operation providing medical services, rebuilding roads and bridges and supplying fresh water.

Another 340 troops from the first contingent have already returned home from Iraq and been replaced.

The deployment is Japan's first military mission in a combat zone since World War II, but there have been no casualties so far.

The total number of Japanese ground forces in Iraq currently stands at about 500.

WAR.WIRE