Suchergebnisse

"20 April 1998" -- p. iii. ; Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-64) ; Photocopy. ; Mode of access: Internet.

Examines characteristics of UN peacekeeping forces, and challenges involved in their deployment.

Abstract: Since their establishment in 1954, the Self Defense Forces (SDF) of Japan have been a contentious issue in Japanese domestic politics. The legitimacy of their existence was opposed by the Japanese Socialist Party, which warned, in addition, of the dangers inherent in their existence or expansion. Nevertheless, as early as 1958 and again in 1961, there were requests from UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold to the Japanese government that Japan commit members of the SDF for service with United Nations peacekeeping missions. Such proposals were supported by the Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, by U.S. diplomats, and by a series of Japanese commissions established to examine the nation's national security issues. These suggestions were rejected for decades by successive Japanese governments of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Under the pressure of the 1990-1991 Gulf War, however, authorizing legislation was finally passed in June 1992. Additionally, a rapid and large increase in UN peacekeeping operations after the end of the cold war, and the complete reversal of the positions of the Japanese Socialist Party when Tomiichi Murayama became prime minister in June 1994 in a coalition government, have totally altered Japan's stance on international peacekeeping. Members of Japan's SDF have now been successfully deployed with UN peacekeeping missions in Cambodia, Mozambique, Zaire, and most recently in the Golan Heights. Asian countries that had expressed qualms and reservations about Japan's participation beforehand now evidently accept it. All of these deployments have so far been under the provisions of Chapter 6 of the UN Charter, which excludes participation in combat. The 1992 legislation, however, permits eventual expansion of Japan's participation, if the Japanese parliament approves the extension. This article reviews the history of these developments, and particularly the events that have taken place since 1990. It then assesses the desirability and potential benefits that may result from the participation of Japanese military forces in UN peacekeeping operations, as well as the fears that have been expressed to the effect that such expansion of the roles of the SDF could ultimately lead to a resurgence of Japanese "militarism." Finally, the article discusses in some detail the major source of reservation regarding the future conduct of Japanese governments once the threshold of SDF service beyond Japan's shores has been crossed.

The long history of pressure and requests from senior UN and U.S. officials for Japan to take on the task of military participation in UN peacekeeping was deferred for forty years, from the time Japan became a full member of the UNO. Major policy changes first took place in Japan in 1992 and 1994. The author reviews the history of these developments and assesses the desirability and potential benefits that may result from the participation of Japanese military forces in UN peacekeeping operations. (DÜI-Sen)