Adding New Mission

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly decided to add new mission to peace-keeping operation in South Sudan by Japanese Self-defense Force. The mission is called rushing up guarding, which is to rescue civilian members of United Nations or non-governmental organizations, using arms. Although the mission had been prohibited by Constitution of Japan, regarding it as use of force in foreign country, Abe administration reinterpreted it to be constitutional. It will be the first case or exercising new interpretation.

Asahi Shimbun reported that Abe had revealed his idea that Abe Cabinet would decide the policy on November 15^th to some leaders of Liberal Democratic Party or Komeito. The opposite parties argue that new mission raises the risk of being targeted and violates traditional five principles for participating in United Nations peace-keeping operation.

Abe administration has been trying to realize security situation in South Sudan. Minister of Defense, Tomomi Inada, visited Juba early last month to judge whether JSDF could work for new mission. After seven-hour stay in Juba, visiting secured area where JSDF was stationing, Inada concluded that the situation was calm. There has been no indication that Abe administration would refrain from adding new mission to JSDF in South Sudan.

Abe administration considers making guideline for new mission. With notion that protecting armed forces from foreign countries is mainly the job of South Sudanese governmental army or infantry companies of United Nations, the guideline does not assume JSDF to approach and guard other forces. But, it is unclear whether JSDF can reject a request for guarding U.N. Forces.

Bad news keep on coming from South Sudan. Facilities of United Nations in Juba were assaulted by armed forces in July. Protesting criticism on not rescuing U.N. personnel, Kenya army, that sent commander of U.N. Force, retreated from South Sudan. United Nations as well as NGO is recognized by the South Sudanese as enemy of independent nation.

It is obvious that JSDF will face with hostility in Juba. Abe administration looks like willing to praise first JSDF victim in U.N. peace-keeping operation to enlighten Japanese people on necessity of sacrifice for national agenda. But, South Sudan is too unstable for foreign troops to achieve reasonable outcome. If JSDF is not supposed to join actual battle in South Sudan, Japanese government has to wait and see until the turmoil will be ceased.