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The Global Implication: Japan’s Peace Operations in South Sudan

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Abstract

After the declaration of independence of South Sudan from Sudan on 9 July 2011, the Japanese government decided to dispatch its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to South Sudan under the auspice of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan. Despite post-conflict military clashes in South Sudan, the Japanese government did not withdraw the SDF but instead the Abe administration assigned a new mission, the so-called kaketsuke-keigo, to rescue staff of international organizations and non-governmental organizations in preparation for possible armed attacks during peacekeeping operations. The new mission can be regarded as Prime Minister Abe’s proactive contribution to peace policy in action. Therefore, this chapter aims to investigate the implication of the Peace and Security Legislation for Japan’s contribution to peace operations in South Sudan as a case study that investigates the associated dilemmas of the United Nations, the Japanese government, and the Japanese peacekeepers.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan). 9 July 2011. ‘Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2011/7/0709_01.html (accessed 12 November 2016).

  2. 2.

    See, Akimoto, Daisuke. 2016. ‘Exercising the Right to Collective Self-Defense? An Analysis of “Japan’s Peace and Security Legislation”.’ Journal of Japanese Law. Vol. 21, No. 41. pp. 137–164.

  3. 3.

    Ibid.

  4. 4.

    Waltz, Kenneth. 2001. Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis. New York: Colombia University Press.

  5. 5.

    MOFA. 24 October 2016. ‘The Republic of South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/s_sudan/data.html#section1 (accessed 3 November 2016).

  6. 6.

    Ibid.

  7. 7.

    Ibid.

  8. 8.

    Ramsbotham, Oliver, Tom Woodhouse, and Hugh Miall. 2016. Contemporary Conflict Resolution. Fourth Edition. Cambridge: Polity Press, p. 123.

  9. 9.

    Waltz. 2001. Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis.

  10. 10.

    Ishizuka, Katsumi. 2013. ‘Issues Related to the Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Sudan’. Working Paper Series Studies on Multicultural Societies. No. 24. Afrasian Research Center, Ryukoku University. http://afrasia.ryukoku.ac.jp/publication/upfile/Working%20Paper24.pdf (accessed 1 September 2017).

  11. 11.

    Akimoto, Daisuke. 2013d. ‘A Sequence Analysis of International Peace Operations: Japan’s Contribution to Human Security of East Timor’. Peace and Conflict Studies. Vol. 20, No. 2. pp. 152–172.

  12. 12.

    Thakur, Ramesh. 10 July 2007. ‘The Responsibility to Protect and Prosecute?’ International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect. http://www.responsibilitytoprotect.org/index.php/component/content/article/42-learn-about-the-responsibility-to-protect/1062-ramesh-thakur-the-responsibility-to-protect-and-prosecute (accessed 15 December 2016).

  13. 13.

    Shinoda, Hideaki. 2012. ‘Responsibility to Protect and the Evolution of International Order’. The Journal of International Security. Vol. 40, No. 2. September 2012, p. 15; Inoue, Mika. 2012. ‘The Responsibility to Protect and the UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa’. The Journal of International Security. Vol. 40, No. 2. September 2012, pp. 72–73.

  14. 14.

    Breidlid, Ingrid Marie, and Jon Harald Sande Lie. 2011. Challenges to Protection of Civilians in South Sudan: A Warning from Jonglei State. Oslo: The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; Willmot, Haidi. 8 June 2016. ‘Protecting Civilians: Can the UN Break Through?’ IPI (International Peace Institute) Global Observatory. https://theglobalobservatory.org/2016/06/protection-civilians-united-nations-unmiss-south-sudan/ (accessed 15 December 2016).

  15. 15.

    MOFA. 15 November 2011. ‘Dispatch of the International Peace Cooperation Corps Members to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) Headquarters’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2011/11/1115_01.html (accessed 12 November 2016).

  16. 16.

    MOFA. 20 December 2011. ‘Dispatch of the International Peace Cooperation Corps (Engineering Unit) to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2011/12/1220_02.html (accessed 12 November 2016).

  17. 17.

    MOFA. 28 March 2012. ‘Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the Military Clashes on the Border Region between Sudan and South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/3/0328_01.html (accessed 13 November 2016).

  18. 18.

    Hamilton, Anne. 2012. ‘Oil-Exploitation as a Factor of Violence in the Context of 2012 South Sudan-Sudan Border Conflict’. Kigali Institute of Technology, Center for Peace and Security Studies, Research Paper No. 21. https://works.bepress.com/anne_hamilton/2/ (accessed 13 December 2016).

  19. 19.

    MOFA. 3 May 2012. ‘Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution on the Situation in Sudan and South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/5/0503_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  20. 20.

    MOFA. 13 July 2012. ‘Emergency Grant Aid for Sudanese Refugees Fled to the Republic of South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/7/0713_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  21. 21.

    MOFA. 3 September 2012. ‘Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Progress Made by Sudan and South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/9/0903_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  22. 22.

    MOFA. 28 September 2012. ‘Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the Signatures on the Agreements by the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/9/0928_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  23. 23.

    MOFA. 16 October 2012. ‘Extension of the Dispatch of the International Peace Cooperation Corps in South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2012/10/1016_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  24. 24.

    MOFA. 1 March 2013. ‘Assistance by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security to the Project in Africa (Kenya , Liberia, Rwanda, South Sudan)’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2013/3/0301_01.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  25. 25.

    MOFA. 31 May 2013. ‘Japan-South Sudan Summit Meeting’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/page1e_000017.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  26. 26.

    MOFA. 22 October 2013. ‘Visit to Japan by Ms. Hilde F. Johnson, Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and the Head of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_000049.html (accessed 14 November 2016).

  27. 27.

    MOFA. 13 May 2014. ‘Message by Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on Signing of Agreement between H. E. Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Former Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press23e_000010.html (accessed 15 November 2016).

  28. 28.

    MOFA. 20 May 2014. ‘Emergency Grant Aid to South Sudan Refugees and IDPs’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press22e_000028.html (accessed 16 November 2016).

  29. 29.

    MOFA. 10 February 2015. ‘Extension of the Dispatch Term of the International Peace Cooperation Corps in South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_000627.html (accessed 17 November 2016).

  30. 30.

    AFP (L’ Agence France-Presse). 22 October 2015. ‘Minami Sudan “Reipu Campu” no Jittai, Josei Susennin ga Seidorei ni (The Reality of ‘Rape Camp’ in South Sudan: Thousands of Women as Sex Slaves)’. http://www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3062964 (accessed 5 December 2016).

  31. 31.

    Human Rights Watch. 2016. ‘South Sudan Events of 2015’. Human Rights Watch World Report 2016. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/south-sudan (accessed 5 December 2016).

  32. 32.

    MOFA. 9 February 2016. ‘Extension of the Dispatch Term of the International Peace Cooperation Corps in South Sudan’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_001023.html (accessed 17 November 2016).

  33. 33.

    Yomiuri Shimbun Chokan. 11 July 2016. ‘Minami Sudan Tairitsu Nebukaku (Deep-rooted Confrontation in South Sudan)’; Japan Times. 10 July 2016. ‘Death Toll from South Sudan Fighting Climbs to 272: Government Source’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/10/world/death-toll-south-sudan-fighting-climbs-272-government-source/#.WDTrRGM0PIU (accessed 23 November 2016).

  34. 34.

    Japan Times. 12 July 2016. ‘After Days of Fighting South Sudan’s Kiir, Machar Order Cease-fire as Civil War Fears Grow’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/12/world/days-fighting-south-sudans-kiir-machar-order-cease-fire-civil-war-fears-grow/#.WDVWSGM0PIU (accessed 23 November 2016).

  35. 35.

    MOFA. 13 July 2016. ‘Minami Sudan Kyowakoku karano ODA Kankeisha no Taihi (Evacuation of ODA-related Staff from the Republic of South Sudan)’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/press4_003488.html (accessed 22 November 2016).

  36. 36.

    Japan Times. 11 July 2016. ‘SDF is Ordered to Evacuate Japanese Nationals from South Sudan’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/11/national/mobilization-of-sdf-eyed-for-south-sudan-to-protect-japanese-nationals-amid-fighting/#.WDTvl2M0PIU (accessed 23 November 2016); Japan Times. 12 July 2016. ‘GSDF Families Briefed on Situation in South Sudan’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/12/national/gsdf-families-briefed-situation-south-sudan/#.WDjaYmM0NMs (accessed 26 November 2016); MOFA. 13 July 2016. ‘Minami Sudan Kyowakoku karano ODA Kankeisha no Taihi (Evacuation of ODA-related Staff from the Republic of South Sudan)’. http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/press/release/press4_003488.html (accessed 22 November 2016).

  37. 37.

    Ibid.

  38. 38.

    Japan Times. 17 July 2016. ‘Food Aid Looted on Massive Scale in South Sudan’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/17/world/food-aid-looted-massive-scale-south-sudan/#.WDjijGM0NMs (accessed 26 November 2016).

  39. 39.

    Japan Times. 21 July 2016. ‘Tokyo’s Envoy to Juba Spending Nights in GSDF Camp amid Safety Concerns: Sources’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/21/national/tokyos-envoy-juba-spending-nights-gsdf-peacekeeper-camp-amid-severe-situation-sources#.WDkp_WM0PmI (accessed 26 November 2016).

  40. 40.

    The Guardian. 15 August 2016. ‘UN Peacekeepers in South Sudan “Ignored Rape and Assault of Aid Workers”.’ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/15/south-sudan-aid-worker-rape-attack-united-nations-un (accessed 5 December 2016).

  41. 41.

    Ibid.

  42. 42.

    Helms, Emily. 2016. ‘The UN Is Finally Getting Serious About Protecting South Sudan’s Civilians’. 4 October 2016. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-un-is-finally-getting-serious-about-protecting-south-sudans-civilians-65193 (accessed 15 December 2016); United Nations. 12 August 2016. ‘United Nations Security Council Resolution 2304’. http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2304(2016) (accessed 15 December 2016).

  43. 43.

    Fukushima, Akiko. 2014. ‘Japan’s “Proactive Contribution to Peace” A Mere Political Label?’. Tokyo Foundation. 19 June 2014. http://www.tokyofoundation.org/en/articles/2014/japans-proactive-contribution-to-peace (accessed 1 September 2017).

  44. 44.

    Yoshida, Yuki. 2013. ‘Interethnic Conflict in Jonglei State, South Sudan: Emerging Ethnic Hatred Between the Lou Nuel and the Murle. African Journal on Conflict Resolution. Vol. 13, No. 2. pp. 39–58. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajcr/issue/view/10955 (accessed 1 September 2017).

  45. 45.

    Akimoto. 2016. ‘Exercising the Right to Collective Self-Defense? An Analysis of “Japan’s Peace and Security Legislation”.’

  46. 46.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 16 November 2016. ‘Cabinet Decision on “Rush and Rescue” A Turning Point for SDF Dispatch Overseas’. http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20161116/p2a/00m/0na/025000c (accessed 28 July 2017).

  47. 47.

    Akimoto. 2016. ‘Exercising the Right to Collective Self-Defense? An Analysis of “Japan’s Peace and Security Legislation”.’

  48. 48.

    MOD (Ministry of Defense). 2016a. Defense of Japan 2016 (Annual Defense White Paper). http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/2016.html (accessed 31 December 2016), p. 219.

  49. 49.

    NDL (National Diet Library). 5 October 2007. ‘Proceedings of the 168th Diet Session, the House of Councilors, Plenary Session’. http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/sangiin/168/0001/16810050001005a.html (accessed 1 December 2016).

  50. 50.

    Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security. 2014. ‘Report by the Advisory Panel on Reconstruction of the Legal Basis for Security’. 15 May 2014, pp. 54–55. http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/anzenhosyou2/dai7/houkoku_en.pdf (accessed 24 November 2016).

  51. 51.

    Ibid., p. 2.

  52. 52.

    Ibid., p. 37.

  53. 53.

    MOD. 2016a. Defense of Japan 2016 (Annual Defense White Paper), p. 217.

  54. 54.

    Ibid., p. 218.

  55. 55.

    Japan Times. 15 November 2016. ‘Abe’s Cabinet Approves More Muscular SDF Peacekeeping Role’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/15/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-cabinet-approves-muscular-sdf-peacekeeping-role/#.WC1YnVK7qM8 (accessed 17 November 2016).

  56. 56.

    Komei Shimbun. 16 November 2016. ‘Bunmin no Anshin Takameru Ninmu (The Mission to Enhance Safety of Civilians)’. https://www.komei.or.jp/news/detail/20161116_22017 (accessed 18 November 2016).

  57. 57.

    Japan Times. 27 July 2017. ‘Defense Minister Inada to Resign amid Allegations of a Cover-up of SDF’s South Sudan Mission Logs’. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/27/national/politics-diplomacy/gsdf-chief-expected-resign-peacekeeper-data-coverup-allegations/#.WajnauSQxPY (accessed 1 September 2017).

  58. 58.

    Suzuki, Shigeru. 2015. ‘Boeisho Jieitai no Mentaru Herusu Taisaku: Beigun no Jirei Shokai o Majietsusu (Mental Health Measures by the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces: In Reference to the Case of the US Force)’. Reference. National Diet Library. January 2015, p. 111.

  59. 59.

    NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai). 9 June 2015. ‘Self-Defense Force Suicides’. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/japanindepth/2015060901.html (accessed 13 December 2016).

  60. 60.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 10 December 2016. ‘Japanese Peacekeepers in S. Sudan to Don Wearable Cameras’. http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20161210/p2a/00m/0na/007000c (accessed 13 December 2016).

  61. 61.

    Ibid.

  62. 62.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 19 November 2016 (modified on 20 November 2016). ‘Kaketsuke Keigo: Tadayou Kinchokan … Anzen ni Ryuishi Katsudo (Rush and Rescue Mission: Tension in the Air … Activity to Pay Attention to Safety)’. http://mainichi.jp/articles/20161120/k00/00m/040/027000c (Last accessed 20 November 2016).

  63. 63.

    Asahi Shimbun. 3 December 2016. ‘Rikuji PKO Ireikin Zogaku Minami Sudan Kaketsuke-keigo Fumae (Considering Kaketsuke-keigo in South Sudan, Condolence Money was Increased for GSDF in PKO)’. http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJD254J7JD2UTFK010.html (accessed 3 December 2016).

  64. 64.

    Ibid.

  65. 65.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 20 February 2012. ‘PKO Tekiwa Kion 40do (The Enemy in PKO is 40 °C of the Temperature)’.

  66. 66.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. February 2012. ‘On-Site Reports from Our Peacekeepers: Voice from South Sudan, the Newest Country in the World’. http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_e/liaison/liaison12.html (accessed 27 November 2016).

  67. 67.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. April 2012. ‘On-Site Reports from Our Peacekeepers: How Can We Support the Self-reliance of South Sudan, the Newest Country in the World?’ http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_e/liaison/liaison16.html (accessed 1 December 2016).

  68. 68.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. May 2012. ‘On-Site Reports from Our Peacekeepers: South Sudan in the Rainy Season’. http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_e/liaison/liaison14.html (accessed 28 November 2016).

  69. 69.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. October 2012. ‘On-Site Reports from Our Peacekeepers: One-Year-Old South Sudan and the Work of Logistics Officers’. http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_e/liaison/liaison20.html (accessed 29 November 2016).

  70. 70.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 11 March 2017. ‘Minami Sudan PKO 20 Taiin, PTSD no Kea ga Hitsuyo (PKO in South Sudan: 20 SDF Staff Need Medical Care for PTSD)’. https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170311/k00/00e/040/283000c (accessed 28 July 2017).

  71. 71.

    Mainichi Shimbun. 8 February 2017. ‘GSDF Involved in PKO Activities in S. Sudan Used Term “Combat” in Daily Reports’. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170208/p2a/00m/0na/022000c (accessed 28 July 2017).

  72. 72.

    Shimbun Akahata. 17 June 2017. ‘Minami Sudan Hakentaiin Jisatsu (Suicide of SDF Personnel Dispatched to South Sudan)’. http://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik17/2017-06-17/2017061701_04_1.html (accessed 1 September 2017).

  73. 73.

    Boutellis, Arthur and Adam C. Smith. 2014. ‘Engineering Peace: The Critical Role of Engineers in UN Peacekeeping’. International Peace Institute. https://www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/ipi_e_pub_engineering_peace.pdf (accessed 1 September 2017).

  74. 74.

    For instance, see Saraiva, Rui Faro. 2013. ‘Japan’s Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations in Southern Africa. The Quest for Peace or Prestige?’ Southern African Peace and Security Studies. Vol. 2 No. 1. pp. 59–76. http://www.saccps.org/journal2-1.html (accessed 1 September 2017); Pajon, Celine. 2017. ‘Japan’s Security Policy in Africa: The Dawn of a Strategic Approach?’ Asie. Visions No. 93. https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/pajon_japan_security_policy_africa_2017.pdf (accessed 1 September 2017).

  75. 75.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. 2017a. ‘Minami Sudan no Ima (The Current Situation of South Sudan)’. http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_j/operations/s_sudan201702.html (accessed 30 June 2017).

  76. 76.

    MOD. 26 May 2017. ‘Minami Sudan Haken Shisetsutai To no Haishi ni Kansuru Jieitai Kodo Meirei To ni tsuite (Regarding Termination of Engineering Unit Dispatch to South Sudan and the SDF Action Order)’. http://www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news/2017/05/26f.html (accessed 30 June 2017).

  77. 77.

    Japan Times. 27 May 2017. ‘GSDF Completes Withdrawal from South Sudan’. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/05/27/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-troops-complete-pullout-u-n-mission-south-sudan/#.WVYJn-SQxPY (accessed 30 June 2017).

  78. 78.

    Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. 10 June 2017. ‘Wagakuni no Kokusai Heiwa Kyoryoku Gyomu no Gyoseki (Japan’s Contribution to International Peace Cooperation Operations)’. http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_j/info/other/pdf/data03.pdf (accessed 30 June 2017).

  79. 79.

    MOD. 10 March 2017. ‘UNMISS ni okeru Jieitai Shisetsubutai no Katsudo Shuryo ni Kansuru Kihontekina Kangaekata (The Basic View on the Termination of the SDF Engineering Units in UNMISS)’, p. 5. http://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/kokusai_heiwa/s_sudan_pko/pdf/kangaekata.pdf (accessed 30 June 2017).

  80. 80.

    Ibid.

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The original version of this chapter was first published in African Journal on Conflict Resolution. Vol. 17. No. 2. I should like to thank the editor of the journal, Professor Jannie Malan, for permission to republish it here. As for the journal article, see Akimoto, Daisuke. 2017. ‘Japan’s International Peace Operations in South Sudan: Its Peacekeeping and Civilian Protection Dilemmas’. African Journal on Conflict Resolution. Vol. 17, No. 2.

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Akimoto, D. (2018). The Global Implication: Japan’s Peace Operations in South Sudan. In: The Abe Doctrine. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7659-6_7

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