JPC Activities & Events 2017

CDR Seiji Karaki, a senior research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the Civil Military Relations Course (CMR), which took place from 11 through 25 November 2017 at the Sweden Armed Forces International Center located in the suburb of Stockholm.
　Through the CMR, CDR Karaki was able to deepen his understanding of the guidelines for Civil-Police-Military collaboration and cooperation in performing PKO missions and of its importance.The JPC intends to effectively utilize the outcomes gained through his experience for further improving its training and research activities.

From 19 to 22 November 2017, COL Kei Sekiguchi, the Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center and a staff member visited the ROK PKO Center.
　During the visit, COL Sekiguchi had a discussion with the Korean side over various matters including how to develop future interchanges between two PKO Centers.
　All this opportunity enabled him to build confidence and further enhance cooperative relationship with the ROK PKO Center.

From 30 Oct to 10 Nov 2017, CDR Takashi Kawashima, a research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the CSOL which took place at ADF Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Australia.
　CDR Kawashima strengthened not only his knowledge of law of armed conflict in general but also his understanding of application of law to operations and effects of violation of law.
　What he learned through the course will be incorporated in the training curriculum and research activities of the JPC.

*CSOL: Command and Staff Operations Law Course
*APCML: Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law

　On 13 November 2017, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted a seminar on PKO and humanitarian issues, and over 45 government officials mainly from the Ministry of Defense, two from the Cabinet Office, one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and three from the Ministry of Justice participated in the seminar.

　Dr. Can Akdogan (Col. Ret, Turkish Army), Advisor to the Unit for Relations with Arms Carriers, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) HQ, gave lectures on PKO-related issues under the theme of “PKO and International Humanitarian Law”.

　The gains from this seminar will be reflected on future training and research activities of the JPC.

　Between 16 and 18 October 2017, LTC Yuichiro Endo, a research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the ADMM-Plus EWG on PKO convened in Australia. LTC Endo exchanged views and information with participants from various countries on the current situation, future trends and each country’s approach on PKO.
　The gains through this opportunity will be reflected on the future course curricula and research activities of the JPC.

　*ADMM: ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting
　*EWG: Experts’ Working Group

　On 17 October 2017, COL Park Sung Ho, the Director of Republic of Korea PKO Center, and three others visited the Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC). He was in Japan for bilateral visit and short term technical visit. Following an office call on COL Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the JPC, he received an overview briefing on the JPC, and had a lively discussion with the JPC side.

　On 17 October 2017, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center took an inspection by Dr. Keitaro Ohno, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense.

　COL Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Trainng and Research Center (JPC), participated in the IAPTC* annual conference held in Cairo, Egypt from 11 to 15 September 2017. COL Sekiguchi surveyed the moves of recent trends in training required for UN peacekeeping activities to have them reflected on the training and research approaches employed by the JPC. He aslo southg to promote awareness among relevant overseas organizations about Japan’s efforts on international peace cooperation activities.

　*IAPTC: International Assciation of Peacekeeping Centres

　From 4 to 15 September 2017, MAJ Takahisa Moriya, a Senior Planning Officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, participated in “Exercise Equateur 17”, a French Armed Forces New Caledonia (FANC)-led, multinational exercise, held in Noumea. Through the exercise, MAJ Moriya was able to improve his operational capacity for international disaster relief activities, and to develop mutual understanding and trust with officers of participating countries.
　The results he brought back this time are to be reflected on the future training and research activities of the Center.

　On 22 August 2017, COL Sacha Tomes, Commandant of the British Peace Support Team (Southern Africa) and his party visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC). The primary purpose of his visiting Japan this time was to attend the preparatory meeting for the upcoming ministerial conference on UN PKO, which was hosted by the Operational Policy Division, the Bureau of Defense Policy, MOD.
　Following the office call on COL Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the JPC, he exchanged views with the JPC side on such issues as Japan-UK cooperation in PKO and activities of JSDF/MOD at the strategic and operational levels.

　From 31 July to 3 August 2017, COL Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the AAPTC* annual meeting held in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, accompanied by a JPC research officer. COL Sekiguchi exchanged information and opinions with representatives from member countries, who work for international peacekeeping activities.
　The JPC commits to steadily enhancing confidence and cooperation between partners in Asia-Pacific region by making the most of those opportunities.

　*AAPTC: Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers

　On 25 July 2017, Mr. Chris Trott, Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK, and his party visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC). Mr. Trott was officially in Japan to have discussions with the representatives from the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Cabinet Office and the bureaus concerned of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
　Following an office call on LTC Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the JPC, they received an overview briefing on the JPC, and exchanged opinions on the future concerns about PKO in general in Japan.

　Between 16 and 20 May 2017, Lt Col Daisuke Awaji, a research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the 10th ADMM-Plus EWG on PKO convened in Republic of Indonesia. Lt Col Awaji exchanged views on peacekeeping operations with participants from other countries and sought to build a human network at the working level.
　The outcome achieved through this meeting will be reflected on our education and research efforts at the JPC.

　*ADMM: ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting
　**EWG: Experts’ Working Group

　On 17 May 2017, COL Fazal Abdul Rahman, the Commandant of Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC), MAF, visited the Japan Peacekeeping and Training Center (JPC) accompanied by the Assistant Defense Attache to the Embassy of Malaysia in Japan. Following an office call on LTC Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the JPC, they received an overview briefing on the JPC, and exchanged opinions on the cooperation in the fields of confidence building and personnel interchanges between the JPC and the MPC.

　Between 19 March and 15 April 2017, LTC Yuichiro Endo, a research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping and Research Center (JPC) participated in the UNMEM* led by the Peace Support Training Centre, Canadian Armed Forces.
　Besides LTC Endo, two officers from Canada and one from Mexico attended the course where the participants were able not only to acquire skills and knowledge necessary for military observers, but also to promote mutual understanding, share experience and build trustful relationship.
　The JPC intends to effectively utilize the outcomes gained through his experience for further improving its training and research activities.

　*UNMEM: United Nations Military Expert on Mission

　On 6 April 2017, MG Laurent Kolodziej, the General Officer in charge of international affairs and exports support, French Army, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) accompanied by a French officer as part of defense cooperation and exchange. Following an office call on the Director of JPC, they received an overview briefing on the JPC, and then exchanged opinions on the future cooperation in the field of bilateral interaction.

　For two days between 7-8 March 2017, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) cohosted a preparatory meeting for the forthcoming AAPTC* Annual General Meeting in Tokyo with the PACOM*. In addition to 9 participants from 4 foreign countries including the U.S., 5 from Japan attended the meeting. This meeting involves major advanced countries joining the AAPTC and offers an opportunity to collect information and exchange opinions regarding the framework for capacity building in the field of education and training on PKO as well as the allocation of roles. Also, the meeting served as a place for planning and coordination for the AAPTC Annual General Meeting to be held this August.
　The JPC sent its Director, COL Sekiguchi and a research officer, MAJ Tanaka to the meeting, where they had a constructive discussion and were able to grasp needs in relation to technical assistance for PKO and problem recognition by major countries.
　The gains from this meeting will be reflected on future training and research activities of the JPC.

　*AAPTC: Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers
　*PACOM: Pacific Command

　On 1 March 2017, COL J.S. Shipley, Director of the Directorate Military Training and Cooperation, the Canadian Armed Forces, visited the JPC accompanied by the Defense Attache to the Embassy of Canada to Japan, and exchanged views with COL Kei Sekiguchi, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping and Training Center (JPC) on education and training for international peace cooperation activities. During the discussion, they talked about the necessity of building a network for peace support operations through such means as utilizing the AAPTC* as a place for an active exchange of opinions, which is to be held on 7 and 8 March 2017.
　The JPC values a committed relationship with foreign counterparts grown through interactions as this time.

　*AAPTC: Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers