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

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.