Ministry of Defense disclosed the diary of
a company of Ground Self-defense Force dispatched to South Sudan for United
Nations peace-keeping operation. The record on July 11th and 12th
last year indicated that intensive “battle” occurred in the area adjacent to
their camp in Juba. Since the Constitution of Japan prohibits sending troops to
a battlefield, GSDF has to retreat from South Sudan.
When a journalist requested disclosure of
the diary of the day of major battles in Juba last July, MoD rejected it last
December, saying that they had scrapped it. Strange enough, they discovered it
from a section which had not formerly been searched, after receiving a request
from a lawmaker in House of Representatives, Taro Kono, with Liberal Democratic
Party.
The diary for those two days amounted to 110
pages, which were filled with records of battle around the camp of GSDF. On the
map indicating situation of battles in the city of Juba, the area adjacent to
GSDF camp was painted red, referring to occurrence of battles. The report
recommended taking care of stray bullets or involvement in abrupt battle. The
word of “battle” appeared everywhere in the diary.
The Ministry also disclosed “morning
report” made by Central Readiness Force. Although the description about posture
of dispatched force or information from foreign military was concealed with black
paintings, the report revealed severe environment in Juba. It indicated
intensive gunfight around the camp, possibility of unintended battle around U.N.
facility, landing of bullet of fire arms or intensive battle with tanks and
mortar. The report assumed suspension of PKO activities, in case the situation
would be deteriorated.
The opposite parties accused in the Diet
discussion last October that the battles in South Sudan would not fulfill the
condition for PKO activities of JSDF. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe or his
Ministers did not use the wording of “battle” and explained it as “collision”
or “sporadic gun fire.” If a battle happens around the area of JSDF camp, they
will have to withdraw, abiding by five principles for PKO including ceasefire
of the parties.
Minister of Defense, Tomomi Inada,
explained in the Diet on Wednesday that the battle was not a battle in legal
terms. In her definition, the battle prohibited by Constitution of Japan was
armed conflict between state and state, or state and quasi-state organization.
Although she admitted the incidents of killing people or breaking properties,
she refused to call it battle. While Abe administration plays on wording of
situation in Juba, the lives of JSDF personnel are exposed to danger.
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