Japan Self-Defense Force Withdraws From South Sudan

In Japan

On March 10, the Japanese government decided to stop the dispatch of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) engineering units to the United Nation’s Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) after the current unit completes its activities at the end of May. JGSDF has been participating in road construction projects around the South Sudanese capital, Juba, since 2012 as a part of the UN peacekeeping force.    

In the press conference held to announce the decision, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that his government’s decision was based on the judgment that the infrastructure construction work that the JGSDF engineering unit has been undertaking “has reached a juncture.” Pointing out that Japan continues to send JGSDF officers to the UNMISS headquarters, Abe emphasized that Japan remains committed to supporting South Sudan under the banner of a “proactive contribution to peace” through other means including humanitarian assistance.  

This article was originally published in The Diplomat on March 13, 2017. Read the full article here.

Subscription Options

* indicates required

Research Areas

Pivotal Places

Publications & Project Lists

38 North: News and Analysis on North Korea