Japan to send several SDF troops to U.N. mission in Nepal

TOKYO, Feb. 20 Kyodo

The Japanese government said Tuesday it is preparing to send several Self-Defense Forces troops to Nepal to participate in a U.N. military observer mission, making it the first SDF deployment overseas since the Defense Agency was upgraded to the Defense Ministry in January.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said the unarmed officers will be dispatched based on Japan's International Peace Cooperation law in response to requests from the United Nations. They will be involved in monitoring the management of weapons and soldiers.

''Japan has developed a close relationship with Nepal and it is meaningful for us to take part in U.N.-led international efforts,'' Shiozaki told a news conference.

The dispatch reflects Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's position that he will ''not shy away'' from having the SDF engage in overseas activities if they are for international peace and stability, as stated in his speech to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in January.

Government sources said Japan plans to dispatch up to six unarmed military observers for monitoring purposes at seven sites of Maoist rebels' camps and Nepalese army barracks. In addition, Japan also plans to dispatch several liaison officers, they said.

The dispatch to Nepal will be the first deployment abroad since the SDF's international cooperation activities overseas were redefined as the troops' main duties rather than subordinate ones in January.

The U.N. Security Council established the U.N. Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) on Jan. 23 after the Nepalese government and the Maoist rebels of the Communist Party of Nepal declared an end to their internal conflict by signing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement last November.

The Japanese observers will also be tasked with information gathering involving both the Nepalese government and the rebels, as well as reporting to the United Nations, the sources said.

The world body envisions deploying a 200-member military observer mission that would involve members who are basically unarmed, and aims to have them fully operational in March, according to the sources.

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