Press Releases

1. Japan has dispatched staff officers from Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) to UNMISS from November 2011 to the present, as well as engineering units from 2012 to 2017. Currently 4 officers are serving UNMISS as headquarters staff. In March 2026, a JGSDF officer was selected by the United Nations Secretariat as the Military Component Chief of Staff' with the end of the predecessor deployment. The Government of Japan decided to dispatch this officer on that post. The post of Military Component Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking post ever held by Japanese personnel deployed to United Nations peacekeeping operations. Under the Force Commander and Deputy Commander, the Chief of Staff oversees operations of various departments such as personnel, operations, logistics, and planning at the force headquarters. Fulfilling responsibilities in such a high rank position leads to Japan's proactive contribution to international peace and is expected to deepen mutual understanding with military personnel of various countries, which is significant for building a desirable international security environment of Japan. It also benefits developing human resources in the international field and accumulating experience and knowledge in the field of international peace.
2. The outline of the dispatch is as follows:
   1. Locations
      The place designated by the United Nations (e.g., South Sudan)
   2. Period
      From May 11, 2026, to May 11, 2027
   3. Scale and Composition
      One Self-Defense Force officer
   4. Equipment
      Personal equipment necessary for the health, safety and the duties as the United Nations staff (no weapons).

(Note) The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.