History of Japan s International Peace Cooperation Paths to Peace Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Cabinet Office
Overview In order to play a more active role for international peace, Japan enacted the Act on Cooperation with United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations (the International Peace Cooperation Law) in June 1992. Ever since then, Japan has on numerous occasions made personnel and in-kind contributions for efforts toward international peace mainly led by the UN. The law establishes the three pillars of Japan s international peace cooperation: participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations, contribution to International Humanitarian Relief Operations, and contribution to International Election Observation Operations. It also stipulates that those operations shall be carried out in accordance with the five principles. Outline of the International Peace Cooperation Law Japan makes personnel and in-kind contributions for the following three activities led by the UN and other organizations International Peace Cooperation Assignments Five Principles International Peace Cooperation Headquarters and Members of the International Peace Cooperation Corps 1. International Peace Cooperation Headquarters The International Peace Cooperation Headquarters is established within the Cabinet Office to administer Japan s International Peace Cooperation Assignments and contributions in kind. Headed by the Prime Minister as the chief, the Headquarters has a deputy chief, members, and a Secretariat. Additionally, to conduct International Peace Cooperation Assignments and other activities, International Peace Cooperation Corps are set up for a specified period in accordance with each Implementation Plan. 2. Members of the International Peace Cooperation Corps Members of the International Peace Cooperation Corps are selected from applicants, or are seconded from the administrative organs concerned. After completing training provided by the Secretariat, they undertake International Peace Cooperation Assignments. Opinions Offers opinions on the affairs of the Headquarters Engage in International Peace Cooperation Assignments and other activities Oversees the affairs of the Headquarters; directs and supervises the staff Assists the duties of the Headquarters Chief Conducts the affairs of the Headquarters 1
UN Peacekeeping Operations are activities undertaken by the UN to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for lasting peace. Mandates of traditional peacekeeping operations are monitoring of ceasefires, separation of hostile forces and maintaining of buffer zones by peacekeeping forces composed of national contingents of troops, and ceasefire monitoring by unarmed military personnel in principle. Mandates of peacekeeping operations have been expanded to include civilian police activities, electoral support, reconstruction and development, and administrative assistance such as organization and institution building. International Humanitarian Relief Operations are activities other than those of UN Peacekeeping Operations, to provide assistance to conflict-afflicted people (refugees, etc.) and the reconstruction of what was damaged by conflicts. These operations are carried out by various international organizations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). International Election Observation Operations are activities that aim to ensure fair execution of elections and voting to establish government by democratic process in post-conflict areas, other than those of traditional UN Peacekeeping Operations. These activities are carried out by the UN, or by regional organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 2
Japan dispatches International Peace Cooperation Corps to the UN Peacekeeping Operations, International Humanitarian Relief Operations, and International Election Observation Operations. These corps undertake activities such as: 1) Monitoring cease-fires and the demobilization of armed forces; 2) Post-conflict infrastructure, facilities, and equipment repair; 3) Distribution of food, clothing, medical supplies, and other daily necessities to afflicted people; 4) Providing advice, guidance, and supervision related to police-administrative matters; 5) Monitoring elections for fairness. Japan has so far dispatched International Peace Cooperation Corps to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Central America 27 times in total. As of June 2013, Japanese International Peace Cooperation Corps are engaged in UN Peacekeeping Operations in South Sudan. Flow Chart of International Peace Assignments Japan extends necessary supplies to the UN and international organizations which are engaged in the UN Peacekeeping Operations, International Humanitarian Relief Operations and International Election Observation Operations. Japan has made the following in-kind contributions on 24 occasions. 1) Support to UN Peacekeeping Operations: United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC): Sep. 1992, Jan. 1993 United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ): Jul. 1994 United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF): Dec.1995, Jan. 2013 United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET): Jun. 1999 United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS): Jul. 2005 United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH): Dec. 2012 2) Support to International Humanitarian Relief Operations: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): 1994~2013 13 times United Nations Agency and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA): Jan. 2009 and International Organization for Migration (IOM): Mar. 2001, May. 2009 Humanitarian Relief Supply Stockpile In order to respond quickly to the needs of in-kind contributions to the International Humanitarian Relief Operations, Japan established a humanitarian relief supply stockpile system in 1997. Tents, blankets, jerry cans, plastic sheets, and sleeping mats are being stored in the warehouse in the United Arab Emirates for emergency request. 3
Japan s International Peace Cooperation 4
System of International Peace Cooperation Program Advisors The International Peace Cooperation Program Advisor system was established in 2005 as a Cabinet Office project in response to increasing roles of civilians in international peace efforts led by the United Nations. The establishment of the system was facilitated by the recommendations made by the Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace (chaired by Mr. Yasushi Akashi, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations). This system has two objectives: (1) Fostering human resources in the field of international peace cooperation. (2) Strengthening the functions of the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. In addition to conducting research activities, International Peace Cooperation Program Advisors are actively engaged in peace building activities such as election observation operations under the International Peace Cooperation Law. As an International Peace Cooperation Program Advisor, while conducting my research on human rights situation in the Middle East, I have provided pre-deployment trainings on the UNPKO and international human rights law/ humanitarian law for Self Defense Force personnel who were deployed to UNPKO missions. I have also participated in mission rehearsal trainings, which included a variety of mock situations and emergencies of UNPKO, conducted by International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit of Ground Self-Defense Force, and given lectures on UNPKO and my career experiences as a former UN official at universities and public seminars. Furthermore, by participating in various events such as the training conducted by the UN Department of PKO, I have established an extensive network with many experts and practitioners in the area of peace cooperation. I believe that the System of Program Advisors is very attractive in gaining valuable opportunities for conducting research on own choice and taking part in training that deepens the specialty before moving forward to the next career stage. I hope to continue to work in the area of my specialty i.e. human rights with enhanced expertise and new experiences that I have obtained in the current office as a program advisor. The latest videos about Japan s international peace cooperation on the government internet TV in Japanese. Information on Demae Kouza (Lecture on Delivery) The Secretariat of International Peace Cooperation Headquarters is participating in annual events such as Children s Kasumigaseki Visit Day, and Global Festa Japan. The Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters is conducting lecture on-delivery or Demae Kouza to promote public understanding toward international peace cooperation activities. Upon request, the staff members of Secretariat will visit universities, schools, institutes, etc. and provide lectures on peace cooperation based on each or staff or researcher s background and experiences. The theme of lectures can vary based on the request. For further details, please see webpage of the Secretariat (http://www.pko.go.jp/pko_j/operations/demaekouza.html) or contact 03-3581-7343. 5
Prior to the independence of the Republic of South Sudan, Japan dispatched two staff officers to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) during the period of October 2008 to September 2011. In response to a request from the UN thereafter, Japan has been dispatching three staff officers, a JSDF Engineer Unit to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security as well as to create an environment for the development of the South Sudan. Three staff officers are being dispatched to the UNMISS Headquarters in Juba, the capital of the Republic of South Sudan. The staff officers are coordinating logistics needs, maintaining database of UNMISS and planning engineering activities. The Engineer Unit having maximum strength of 330 conducts activities such as rehabilitating UN facilities, preparing sites for international organization and repairing main roads out of UN sites. The Coordination Center of the JSDF, having a maximum strength of 30 is stationed at Juba (South Sudan), and its detachment is stationed at Kampala and Entebbe (Uganda). The Center coordinates on forming new projects and operational logistics in transportation for the Engineer Unit. With the support of the Australian contingent, the Center also cordinates with relevant stakeholders including the UN. Air Self-Defense Force provides an airlift of equipment and supplies between the Republic of South Sudan, Republic of Uganda and Japan by C-130H. report On-site Juba from Two Liaison & Coordination Officers are dispatched and rotate every 2-3 months to coordinate between the Engineer Unit and other stakeholders such as the UN and NGOs. These officers evaluate such circumstances as to affect operations by the Japanese contingents, and report them to the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters in Tokyo so that the HQ timely grasp what is going on the ground. We, proud of playing a part in Japanese international contribution, pursue the tasks in unfamiliar and challenging circumstances on this foreign soil. The pure and innocent smiles of South Sudanese children are the comfort we find in difficult times, and we sincerely hope to be of help for the peace, security, and development in South Sudan. 6
In 2012 and 2013, Japan has made contributions in kind to two UN Peacekeeping Operations and one International Humanitarian Relief Operation. The contributions have benefited UN PKO missions and refugee relief operations of UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees). When Japanese Engineer Unit left Haiti, Japan, responding to the request of the UN, handed over prefabricated housings and other equipment, which had been used by the Unit, to the UN for MINUSTAH s operations. *Japan, responding to the request of the Government of Haiti, also granted materials and equipment including bulldozers to the Government of Haiti based on the Exchange of Notes. At the request of the United Nations, Japan provided the UN with trucks, truck tractor, trailer low bed, bulldozer, and excavator, which had been used by Japan s Transportation Unit, for UNDOF s Operations at the Golan Heights (Southwest Syria and Israel),when the Unit left the Golan Heights. Japan granted UNHCR relief supplies (tents, blankets, jerry cans, plastic sheets and sleeping mats) for Sudanese refugees in the Republic of South Sudan. 7