But editorials focussed on possible difficult times ahead for the effort to reconstruct Iraq and to build democratic systems.

Pictures of a toppled statue of Hussein in Baghdad dominated the front pages of all major newspapers, with the biggest circulation Yomiuri Shimbun and Nihon Keizai Shimbun economic daily opting for the identical banner headline: "Hussein Regime Collapses."

"Japan should welcome the latest development as a nation that has supported the US and British military action and has wished for an early end of the war," the conservative Yomiuri said in its editorial.

"In the future, (Japan) must actively participate in the post-war reconstruction," it said.

Other headlines ranged from "Goodbye Saddam" in the Sankei Shimbun to "Hope and anxiety over reconstruction" on an inside page story in the Nihon Keizai.

Under the headline "Dictator Abandoned," the Mainichi Shimbun noted the failure of Iraqis to respond to calls to rise up against the coalition forces.

"It did not appear that the entire Iraqi population rose up to defend their nation," as called for by Hussein, the Mainichi said. "Last year's 100 percent support rate (in Iraq for Hussein) now almost comically comes to naught."

The unknown whereabouts of Hussein and his sons prompted calls for caution over premature victory celebrations however.

"We should not be optimistic while President Hussein's fate is still unclear," the Yomiuri said.

With the end of the war drawing near, the liberal Asahi Shimbun expressed concern over post-war reconstruction.

"The real challenge starts now," the influential daily said in an editorial.

Despite the momentous events in Baghdad, Japan's sports-oriented tabloids reserved their front pages for the first Major League Baseball home run hit by New York Yankees new Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui.

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