Two others had already left Thursday.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said there had been nine Japanese among the human shields who chained themselves to public buildings and in front of strategic targets to divert military advances by coalition troops.

Some of the volunteers from nations as diverse as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, have returned to their home countries complaining of feeling manipulated by Iraqi authorities, unable to shield hospitals and schools and instead forced to protect power stations and grain silos.

The Iraqi government had deployed most of the Japanese human shields at water purification plants and power stations in Baghdad.

Among the three Japanese nationals who left Saturday were a 65-year peace activist from Tachikawa city west of Tokyo, who spent nine days in Baghdad.

All three of the returning Japanese shields were in good health, according to people in contact with them.

WAR.WIRE