Japan Press Weekly

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2018 September 12 - 18 [POLITICS]

Abe gov’t intends to send SDF to non-UN missions abroad

Akahata on September 17 learned that the Abe government intends to dispatch Ground Self-Defense Force troops to the non-UN peacekeeping organization Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) on the Sinai Peninsula under the pretext of contributing to an international peace cooperation activity.

Akahata believes that the government seeks to use this dispatch as a breakthrough for enabling the SDF to provide logistic support to U.S.-led multinational forces abroad.

Before the national security related legislation (a.k.a. war laws) was established, the SDF’s participation in multinational military missions was limited to UN-controlled peacekeeping operations. However, with the enactment of the legislation, it became possible to have the SDF participate in non-UN missions called “joint international peace and security operations”. These missions need to meet Japan’s five PKO principles including a ceasefire agreement in place.

The MFO began its operations in Sinai in 1979 following the conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. This multinational force consists of about 1,200 military personnel mainly from the United States and 11 other countries, including Columbia and Fiji. The Japanese government has been providing financial support to the MFO since 1988.

Past related article:
> Prepare for expanded overseas missions: PM Abe at SDF ceremony [October 17 & 19, 2015]