Protection of civilians by Japanese peacekeepers

What is it about?

Japan’s new security legislation was enacted on 30 September 2015 and came into force on 29 March 2016. It has expanded the scope in which the Japanese Self-Defence Forces personnel can use weapons while engaging in a peacekeeping mission. This article examines the legal quagmire they will encounter when they are deployed for peacekeeping with the new mandates introduced by this security legislation.

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Why is it important?

Japan has been very conservative and reluctant to commit their Self-Defence Forces to international peacekeeping operations. But now, Japan is trying to be more actively engaging in peacekeeping and even protecting civilians in a conflict zone. The new security legislation may have lifted some of the restrictions under Japanese domestic law, but there will be challenging legal questions posed under international law due to the recent jurisprudential development and associated debate. It is important to know what those challenges are before making any assumption or opinion about Japan's deployment of peacekeepers under the new security legislation.