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This open access book examines why Japan discontinued its quarter-century history of troop contribution to UN Peacekeeping Operations (1992-2017). Japan had deployed its troops as UN peacekeepers since 1992, albeit under a constitutional limit on weapons use. Japan's peacekeepers began to focus on engineering work as its strength, while also trying to relax the constraints on weapons use, although to a minimal extent. In 2017, however, Japan suddenly withdrew its engineering corps from South Sudan, and has contributed no troops since then. Why? The book argues that Japan could not match the increasing "robustness" of recent peacekeeping operations and has begun to seek a new direction, such as capacity-building support.
List of contents
1. Introduction: The Pursuit of "Integration" and "Robustness" in Japan's Peacekeeping Policy.- 2.The Historical Background to Japan's Peacekeeping Policy from the Early Postwar Era to the Establishment of the PKO Act 1945-1992.- 3. The Evolution of Japan's Peacekeeping Policy 1992-2012.- 4. Recent Developments in Japan's International Peace Cooperation Under the Second Abe Government 2012-2020.- 5. Cambodia: Japan's First UNPKO Contribution.- 6. East Timor: Adapting to "Integration" and Responding to "Robustness".- 7. Haiti: The Development of "Seamless" Assistance from Disaster Relief to UNPKOs.- 8. South Sudan: The SDF and "Protection of Civilians".- 9. Conclusion: Japan's Search for a New Direction in Peacekeeping.
About the author
Hiromi Nagata Fujishige is Associate Professor in the School of International Politics, Economics and Communications at Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
Yuji Uesugi is Professor of Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in the School of International Liberal Studies and the Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Tomoaki Honda is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chukyo University, Aichi, Japan.
Report
"This book is an impressive exploration of peacekeeping from the Japanese perspective and provides some unique insights into the logics and domestic policies that have impacted Japan's engagement in peace operations. Providing a tightly focused examination on Japanese peacekeeping efforts, this book is most suitable for graduate students, academics and practitioners who already have a strong background in peacekeeping more broadly." (Shannon Zimmerman, International Peacekeeping, October 15, 2024)
