TOKYO, APRIL 2, SPA -- JAPAN MAY KEEP ITS TROOPS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ UNTIL A DEGREE OF POLITICAL STABILITY IS RESTORED IN THE COUNTRY, THE JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID SUNDAY, DENYING REPORTS IN LOCAL MEDIA THAT TOKYO MIGHT PULL OUT BY MAY. JAPANESE OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THEY WILL CAREFULLY CONSIDER SECURITY CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS PLANS OF BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS STATIONED THERE, BEFORE DECIDING WHEN IT WILL WITHDRAW ITS 600 TROOPS FROM THE SOUTHERN IRAQI CITY OF SAMAWAH. TARO ASO ECHOED THE CAUTION SUNDAY ON A TV ASAHI TALK SHOW, DENYING MEDIA REPORTS OF AN IMMINENT WITHDRAWAL. 'THE CREATION OF THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS IN NO WAY COMPLETE... WE CAN'T MAKE DEFINITE DECISIONS ON WITHDRAWAL UNTIL THE SECURITY AND POLITICAL SITUATION BECOMES CLEARER,' ASO SAID. 'IT'S MOST DESIRABLE THAT WE COORDINATE OUR WITHDRAWAL WITH BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS,' HE ADDED. --SPA 10 36 LOCAL TIME 07 36 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/350284