Newsletter No. 498
News-Analysis
January 27, 2007

 

JAPAN TO EXTEND ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE GOLAN HEIGHTS MISSION

Yesterday, Natsuko Sakata of MOFA announced to the media that Tokyo intends to extend its participation in the Golan Heights peacekeeping mission for another six months past the current March 31st deadline. There are currently 45 Japanese troops participating in the Golan mission, mostly involved in logistical support operations from Camp Ziouani and Camp Faouar.

Photo: Japanese politicians and SDF in the Golan Heights
Source: Website of DPJ House of Representatives Member Taizo Mikazuki

Japan’s role in Golan goes back to February 1996. It has always been a rather low-profile and uncontroversial deployment of the SDF.