JPC Activities & Events 2023

On December 21, Rear Admiral Retiono Kunto, Commandant of Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Center visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, Col. Arima, Chief training and research office gave a presentation on the outline of the JPC, followed by exchange of the ideas.
　In the opinion exchange, participants shared their views on promoted exchanges in the field of area related to peace cooperation activities, and shared information.
　The JPC will continue reflecting the results to be gained from such exchange in its training and research.

On December 8, Colonel Werner Klaffus, Commander Bundeswehr United Nations Training Centre, German Armed Forces visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, MAJ. ISHIZUKA, research officer gave a presentation on the outline of the JPC, followed by exchange of the ideas.
　In the opinion exchange, participants shared their views on promoted exchanges in the field of area related to peace cooperation activities, and shared information.
　The JPC will continue reflecting the results to be gained from such exchange in its training and research.

From　Monday, November 6, 2023 to Friday, November 10, 2023, JPC Director COL TAKEKUMA Koichi and four other staff members attended the 27th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centers（IAPTC）held in Kenya.
　IAPTC is an association made up of various countries institutions for education, training and research related to peacekeeping operations. Its purpose is to contribute to more effective peace operations by sharing information for education and training and promoting communication between organizations. It was established in July 1995. 280 participants from centers and institutions dealing with peace operations, research, education and training from over 60 countries around the world joined the conference.
　At the meeting, participants deepened their knowledge through various lectures and exchanges of opinions regarding the current status and issues of modern peacekeeping operations. In addition, JPC served as the moderators and subcommittee moderators, in the individuals session “Situational Awareness in Peace Operations / Peacekeeping Operational Information” based on the main theme of the meeting, along with the Cabinet Office Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Policy Bureau, International Peace and Security Cooperation Division, and the JGSDF International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit.
　At the end of conference, Japan announced candidacy for host country of IAPTC2026. It will be jointly sponsored by the Joint Staff College of the Ministry of Defense and the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters Cabinet Office and obtained consent from the executive committee and others.
　The fruits obtained from this meeting will be reflected in future educational research by our center. Additionally, we will proceed with preparations for IAPTC in 2026.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, based on the request of Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding(CCCPA), as part of a 4-day seminar on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations hosted by the CCCPA, CMD NAKAGIRI, senior research officer at the JPC gave approximately one hour lecture online.
　This dispatch of instructor through VTC is a realization of what Mr. Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of the CCCPA, approached when he visited JPC in July of this year. And CMD NAKAGIRI who has specialized knowledge about sexual exploitation and abuse was in charge of the lecture.
　The lecture focused on the usefulness of Core Pre-deployment Training Materials(CPTM）, the United Nations standard teaching material, and was based on an understanding of basic related knowledge on human rights, women, peace, security, civilian protection, child protection etc, and he emphasized the importance of enriching leadership, education, indivisual efforts through “integration of knowledge.”
　During the Q&A session after the education, questions were asked about the impact of sexual exploitation on the countries sending troops, and through the education, we were able to share specialized knowledge and promote people-to-people exchanges between the countries.
　JPC will continue to actively conduct education, and research related to international peace cooperation.

From October 9 to 19, 2023, Lieutenant Colonel KUROSAKI (TORII) Mayuko, research officer at Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) participated in the Peace Support Operations Cooperation Course (PSOCC) at the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT) located in Helsinki.
　In this course, she learned about liaison activities with international humanitarian organizations and local actors, and expanded her perspectives through discussions and group working with military personnel and police officers from other countries.
　The JPC will reflect the results from this course in its training and research efforts.

On Thursday, November 2, 2023, from the request of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Graduate School of Global Studies), JPC held a lecture at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies by the research fellows, COL KOBAYASHI Takashi and LTC MIYAMOTO Ayako. The theme of the lecture is“The Self‐Defense Forces` International Activities and the Japan Peacekeeping Research and Training Center.” The lecture was held in English, based on the significance and role of the Self-Defense Forces` international Cooperation Activities, about Self-Defense Forces personnel active around the world, and their own work experience.
　The lecture was given by Professor YOSHIZAKI Tomonori, and was attended by students interested in international conflicts and peace keeping operations. During the question and answer session after the lecture, there were questions about the outlook for future international peace operations carried out by the Self-Defense Forces and the challenges faced by countries hosting United Nations peacekeeping missions, which helped the participants deepen their understanding of the international peace operations currently undertaken by the Self-Defense Forces.
　JPC will continue to actively conduct education, research, and other activities related to international peace operations.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center dispatched a researcher to Keio High School. COL ARAI Nobuhiro, JPC Chief research officer, gave a lecture on international peace operations to second-year students at Keio High School.
　English class which theme of “war and peace” by Ms. MIKADO Satoko, who is an instractor retired from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. In order to increase the educational effectiveness of the lessons, JPC was asked to give lectures by active Self-Defense Forces personnel with practical experiences in the current state of conflicts in the international community, Japan`s efforts to deal with them, and peacekeeping operations by the United Nations. This lecture was the first time in High School.
　The theme of the lecture by Col ARAI was “International Peace Cooperation by the Ministry of Defense Forces.” The lecture was about the significance and role of the international peace cooperation activities carried out by the Self-Defense Forces, as well as UN peacekeeping operations based on his experience working at the United Nations Headquarters. Additionally, Col　KAWASAKI Machiko(Commander, Military Medicine Research Unit, Test and Evaluation Command, JGSDF), who worked at the United Nations Operations Support Bureau until August of this year, also participated as a lecturer, giving an easy-to-understand lecture on the current state of international peace cooperation activities and the purpose of the triangular partnership program.
　During the question and answer session, students asked real-life questions such as the situation in the field when they were dispatched overseas and their motivations for joining the Self-Defense Forces. As a result, the students became interested in international peace activities, and we were able to give lectures that met the needs of the high school. The lecture was also covered by the press and was a great success.
　JPC will continue to actively conduct education, research, and other activities related to international peace cooperations.

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center(JPC) held the 3rd Peace Operation Workshop.
　This workshop is aimed at acquiring knowledge necessary for the education and research on international peace operations. We invited Mr. JINGUSHI Akira, Senior Research Fellow of the National Institute for Defense Studies as a lecture. The workshop was held in a hybrid format, both on-site and online.
　At the workshop, lectures were given based on the lecturer’s analysis on the theme of “Current Status and Changes in African Security.” After the lecture, participants had a lively question and answer session and exchanged opinions.
　The JPC will continue to improve the quality of its training and research through workshops.

The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research center(JPC) invited Mr. Taura, Ex-Lieutenant General for the Northern squad of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF) as instructor to listen the lessons about PKO.
Mr. Taura talked the situation to be dispatched to Iraq, and Valuable opinions based on extensive experience.
The JPC will continue to improve the quality of its training and research through the opinions.

On July 27, 2023, Mr. Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director General of Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, MAJ. ISHIZUKA, research officer gave a presentation on the outline of the JPC, followed by exchange of the ideas.
　In the opinion exchange, the participants agreed with JPC’s efforts in education and research in peace cooperation activities, and shared information on future efforts in both countries.
　The JPC will continue reflecting the results to be gained from such exchange in its training and research.

On July 25, Brig. Gen. Asadul HAQUE, Director Overseas Operations, Bangladesh Army, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, MAJ. ISHIZUKA, research officer gave a presentation on the outline of the JPC, followed by exchange of the ideas.
　In the opinion exchange, the two sides shared their views on promoted exchanges in the field of area related to peace cooperation activities, and shared information.
　The JPC will continue reflecting the results to be gained from such exchange in its training and research.

From May 18 to June 3, 2023, Colonel EGASHIRA Shinichi, a senior research officer at the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated as an instructor in the United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) at the Australia Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre (ADFPOTC) located in the city of Canberra, Australia.
　The aim of the course is to prepare selected military personnel for services as staff officers within a United Nations Peace Operations Integrated Mission in the Headquarters or team sites. Colonel EGASHIRA participated as an instructor with request of ADFPOTC,14 trainees from Australia and other countries attended at a two-week training program.
　In this course, Colonel EGASHIRA gave lectures on initiatives for the Staff Officers based on his experiences in the UNTAC and UNMISET, and exchanged various perspectives by discussions and group exercise with other instructors and participants. He could share his knowledge accumulated through the experiences and work at the JPC.
　The JPC will reflect the results from this course in our center’s training and research.

On June 7, 2023, General Wayne EYRE, Canadian Chief of Defence Staff visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC.)
　During the visit, COL. EGASHIRA, Senior research officer gave a presentation on the outline of the center, which was followed by opinion exchange on training courses.
　In the opinion exchange, General Wayne expressed his support for the JPC’s efforts in education and research in international peace cooperation activities, and we shared the information about issues recognized by the UN, such as protection of civilian and WPC (women peace and security).
　The JPC will continue reflecting the results to be gained from such exchange in its training and research.

From May 1 to 4, 2023, Colonel TAKEKUMA Koichi, GSDF, Director of Japan Peacekeeping and Training and Research Center (JPC) and Major ISHIZUKA　Noriyoshi, GSDF, research officer of JPC, participated in the Association of Asia-Pacific Peace Operations Training Centers（AAPTC） annual conference in Australia.
　AAPTC consists of 24 peacekeeping training centers from the nations in Asia-Pacific region including Japan and UN. On its annual conference, peace operation trainings standardization and mutual exchange effort are discussed.
　This year, participants briefed their best practice with the title of “Together Stronger.” Japan briefed its effort regarding peace cooperation(such as UN Triangular Partnership Program, Capacity Building), then enhanced relationship with partners through discussion.
　JPC will reflect achievement of the conference to its study and education.

On April 25,　2023，Director, NATO International Military Staff, Cooperative Security Division，Lieutenant General Francesco DIELLA and his staff visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　At the beginning of the meeting, JPC presented an overview of the various types of education.
　Afterwards, both side exchanged opinions on the current international situation, the current status of international peace cooperation activities, Challanges, and education, research, and studies related to these activities.
　We will reflect the outcomes of these exchanges in the future JPC’s training and research efforts.

On February 27, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the 4^th Peace Operation Workshop of FY 2022.
　This workshop is aimed at acquiring knowledge necessary for the education and research on international peace operations. Mr. Ippeita Nishida, Senior Research Fellow of the Security Studies Program, Sasakawa Peace Foundation Institute for Global Studies joined us as the lecturer for this Workshop, which was held under the theme of International Peace Operations in the Future.
　The workshop was held both online and in-person with the participants from JPC, Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters (Cabinet Office), Foreign Policy Bureau (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Joint Staff Office, International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit (GSDF) and UNMISS Headquarters.
　In the workshop, Mr. Nishida gave lectures based on his extensive research achievements, followed by active questions, and exchanged opinions among the participants regarding future initiatives for the international peace cooperation.
　The JPC will continue to improve the quality of its training and research through workshops.

From January 16 to 27, 2023, Lieutenant Col MIYAMOTO Ayako, an research officer at the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated the Contingent Owned Equipment Working Group (COEWG) at the United Nations Head Quarter in NY.
　This working group, which reviews manuals related to Contingent Owned Equipment(COE) once every three years by UN Member States in order to ensure peace operation of COE in PKO activities, was conducted over a two-week period by a large number of UN Member States.
　In the working group, Lieutenant Col MIYAMOTO supported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through discussions on various proposals submitted by UN Member States and the UN Secretariat, she have better understanding of the challenges troops face and their efforts to address them, such as gender and environmental issues as UN Member States.
　The JPC will reflect the results from this working group in our center’s training and research.