Japan to train peacekeepers to conduct military escort missions

[TOKYO] Japan will begin training soldiers to conduct rescue and military escort missions during UN peacekeeping operations, potentially embroiling its troops in overseas military actions for the first time since World War Two.

The training will begin this month for Self Defence Force units due to be deployed as peacekeepers in South Sudan in November, Defence Minister Tomomi Inada said on Wednesday.

Any decision to order Japanese troops on rescue missions would be left to the cabinet.

REUTERS