Tokyo

Japan is boosting training of peacekeepers of developing nations as it remains unable to send any Self-Defense Forces troops to a UN peacekeeping mission for more than two years.

In the past few years, the Japanese government’s assistance for peacekeepers of developing countries focused on training in operating heavy equipment for military engineering units. Last month, Japan provided training in critical care for the first time.

The country is trying to find how to improve its contributions to international efforts to achieve peace after SDF troops lost their last remaining presence in UN peacekeeping missions in 2017, officials said.

Between Oct. 7 and 18 this year, the Ground SDF sent two members to Uganda to serve as instructors in a UN program to give critical-care training to participants to the UN mission in South Sudan and other people.

Roughly 100 peacekeepers die around the world every year. Enhancing critical-care capabilities among peacekeepers is an urgent task because many wounded and diseased peacekeepers die on their ways to hospital.

The program drew 26 trainees from 10 countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Few of them had basic knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or hemostasis.

In recent years, peacekeeping missions involving the use of force, such as those to protect civilians in conflict areas, are increasing.

This led to a decrease in the participation of developed countries in peacekeeping missions, while lower-skilled peacekeepers from developing countries are increasing.

SDF troops have no presence in any UN peacekeeping mission after an engineering unit withdrew from South Sudan in May 2017.

Japan has strict rules on its participation in a UN peacekeeping mission. Specifically, five criteria must be met, including a ceasefire agreement among warring parties.

The country is, therefore, trying to expand its assistance in areas other than peacekeeping activities.

“Demand is strong for medical training assistance,” said GSDF Maj. Yasuyoshi Kusanagi, who participated in the UN program in Uganda.

Jiji Press