Japanese official visits MFO camp in Egypt

A senior Japanese official has visited Egypt before the arrival of Self-Defense Forces personnel for an international peace mission.

The Multinational Force and Observers, or MFO, has been monitoring the ceasefire between Egypt and Israel on the Sinai Peninsula in eastern Egypt.

The Japanese government has decided to send two members of the Self-Defense Forces for the first time after new security legislation was enacted four years ago.

Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister of Defense Takako Suzuki visited the MFO's camp in the southern part of the peninsula on Saturday for talks with the commander.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Cairo, Suzuki said she confirmed that the local security situation is generally calm, and that safety measures are in place.

She added that she also confirmed that Japanese SDF personnel's actions will be based on Japan's self-imposed criteria for sending peacekeepers overseas.

The dispatch will be the SDF's first international cooperation activity for peace and security under the new law, which makes it possible for SDF personnel to take part in non-UN peacekeeping activities under certain conditions.


Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190318_07/