Japan Eyes Adding New Duties to SDF Troops in S. Sudan in May

Tokyo, Sept. 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is considering allowing Self-Defense Forces troops being deployed on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan to engage in the protection of civilians under attack away from areas where they are operating, informed sources said Monday. The government plans to add the new duties as early as May, when a new SDF unit is planned to replace the current unit in the African country, the sources said. A task force of Defense Ministry officials met on Monday to discuss the implementation of new national security laws enacted earlier this month, including updating the SDF code of conduct in emergencies. "We should consider the matter as carefully as possible, taking into account all factors, including management, training and equipment and using sufficient time," Nakatani said at the meeting. With a House of Councillors election due to take place next summer, there are calls within the government for delaying the new duties until after the Upper House poll. "There's no need to stir public sentiment further ahead of the Upper House election," a government source said. The new security laws provoked nationwide protests. The new laws, including the revised law on cooperation for U.N. peacekeeping operations, will be officially announced on Wednesday and put into effect by March. Under the revised law, regulations on the use of weapons by the SDF will be eased so that the SDF can come to the aid of civilians under attack by militants. SDF troops will also be allowed to arm themselves on joint missions with other countries' militaries to protect base camps. Currently, an SDF engineering unit of 350 troops is in South Sudan, while four other SDF personnel are working at the U.N. Mission in South Sudan headquarters. END