UN requests Japanese peacekeepers to Sudan’s demining

April 2, 2008 (TOKYO) — The United Nations has requested Japanese government to take part in U.N. peacekeeping operations’ demining activities in southern Sudan, government sources said Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry has already been considering Japanese participation in the U.N. Mission in Sudan and the world body’s request is expected to help expedite debate on the deployment of troops, which is a sensitive issue due to restrictions under Japan’s pacifist Constitution.

The U.N. has approached Japan on several occasions since the beginning of this year, asking if Japan is willing to send troops to UNMIS and if they will be equipped to undertake demining capabilities.

Demining is crucial for securing transport routes to deliver humanitarian aid.

The Japanese army, Self-Defense Forces (SDF), has gained demining experience in such areas through its deployment on peacekeeping operations in Cambodia from 1992.

“The SDF has superb demining techniques and is fully capable of operating in Sudan,” a government source said.

The Japanese government has already concluded that Japan can take part in UNMIS as the circumstances in southern Sudan, including a ceasefire among the parties concerned, satisfy the five principles for deployment.

The government has begun researching the security situation and details of current UNMIS activities. However, the Defense Ministry remains cautious about dispatching troops, the sources said.

Despite the government’s desire to have Japan play a greater global role, overseas deployment of the SDF is controversial under the Constitution, which strictly limits the use of weapons and prohibits the deployment of troops to combat zones under the current interpretation.

(ST)