Japan Press Weekly

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2013 December 18 - 24 [POLITICS]

Gov’t decides to supply ammo to S. Korean military on UN mission

The government led by Prime Minister Abe Shinzo on December 23 decided to supply ammunition to the South Korean military involved in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) in Africa. This will pave the way for chipping away at Japan’s three principles banning arms exports, Akahata pointed out.

This is the first time for Japan to give military equipment to foreign troops since the nation began participating in PKOs.

The UN Mission in South Sudan and the South Korean forces on the previous day made to the Japanese government a request for a contribution of 10,000 5.56-milimeter bullets because only the Japanese Self-Defense Forces among foreign militaries participating in the PKO in South Sudan use the same type of bullets as the South Korean military.

The government explained that the decision to supply the ammo was made based on Article 25 of the PKO law enabling Japan to offer material assistance if it is regarded as appropriate for cooperation in PKO missions, international humanitarian relief, or international election monitoring.

However, the government in the past Diet deliberations claimed that the SDF engaging in PKO missions would never offer weapons or ammo to other nations’ troops operating in the same missions together.