JPC Activities & Events 2025

　This course is designed to provide candidates of staff officers for UN peaceopeartions mission military component headquarters with knowledge and skills on the staff functions within headquarters.
　Major ISHIZUKA took part in the course for approximately three weeks as an instructor exchange program. Major ISHIZUKA was responsible for lectures on Mission Specific Legal Frameworks and Mission Experience, and served as a small-group instructor during tabletop exercises, providing scenario-based guidance.

From Monday, November 10th, to Friday, November 14th, 2025, JPC Director Colonel WATANABE Kuniyoshi and two others attended the 29th Annual Conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres（IAPTC）held in Italian Republic.
　IAPTC is an association composed of various organizations 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 by promoting communication between organizations. IAPTC was established in July 1995. This year’s conference was held under the theme “Peace Operations Training in a Dynamic World: Fostering Cooperation, Inclusively and Efficiency”, and discussions focused mainly on the promotion of Women, Peace and Security (WPS), measures against Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech (MDH), strengthening partnerships among countries and regions, implementing effective and efficient pre-deployment training, and the usefulness of the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme (UNTTPP).
　JPC was able to develop good relationship with other training centers/institutions by exchanging views in the field of international peace and security activities.

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center supported the training program titled “The Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development (Primary Course),” hosted by Hiroshima University as part of a project under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
　This training program welcomed 24 participants from Japan, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Ecuador, Armenia, Palestine, Iraq, Cameroon, South Sudan, and the African Union Commission.
　As part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs project, Hiroshima University conducted the training in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), aiming to cultivate individuals capable of contributing to solving global challenges. The Center delivered a lecture on international peace cooperation activities conducted by the Ministry of Defense and provided an overview of its own initiatives.
　During the lecture, Lieutenant Colonel Moritake of the Center, who has experience serving as a headquarters staff member in the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO), which monitors the ceasefire between Egypt and Israel in the Sinai Peninsula, introduced Japan’s efforts in the field of peacebuilding. These included the Center’s education and research activities, international collaboration, and development of curricula aligned with UN standards. He also shared practical insights based on his deployment experience, including the nature of headquarters operations and Japan’s contributions.
　In the Q&A session, Colonel Watanabe, Director of the International Peace Cooperation Center, also joined and, together with Lieutenant Colonel Moritake, provided detailed explanations about the Self-Defense Forces’ operational principles and reputation, thereby enhancing participants’ understanding and satisfaction.

From Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 17, 2025, Lieutenant Commander SAITO Chie, a researcher at the Center for International Peace Cooperation, participated in the NATO Gender Training of the Trainers (GToT) course held at the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) in Stockholm, Sweden.
　This course aims to enhance participants’ ability to design and deliver education that integrates gender perspectives into military training. A total of 25 participants (8 men and 17 women) from 15 countries took part in the two-week program.
　Through lectures, group discussions, and individual assignments, participants systematically learned instructional methods related to Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Lieutenant Commander Saito developed and presented a training plan that included setting educational objectives, analyzing target audiences, and selecting appropriate teaching methods, thereby strengthening her practical skills in an international educational environment.

On Friday, October 17, 2025, Mr. David Haeri, Director of Policy, Evaluation and Training Division, Department of Peace Operations, United Nations, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, where Colonel Watanabe, the Director of the Center, welcomed him.

Colonel Watanabe, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, visited Egypt and Jordan from August 22 to 30, 2025, and Australia from September 23 to 26, 2025. The summary of each country visit is as follows

1. Egypt and Jordan
　　During this visit, discussions were held to strengthen collaboration with local institutions and promote human resource development. The visit yielded significant outcomes regarding future cooperation.

(1) Egypt

　A meeting was held with the Liaison Agency With International Organizations (LAWIO) to discuss further exchange programs. Additionally, discussions were held with the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), deepening mutual understanding on the sharing of knowledge and lessons learned in peacekeeping operations and enhancing future cooperation.

(2) Jordan

　Discussions were held with the Peace Operations Training Center (POTC) regarding Japan’s participation in POTC courses and the continued acceptance of Jordanian military personnel into courses conducted by the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center.
　A constructive exchange of views was held toward expanding mutual participation.
　In addition, coordination with the Japanese embassies in Egypt and Jordan is underway to deepen cooperation in the field of international peacekeeping, including personnel development for UN missions.
　This visit further strengthened trust with each country and reaffirmed our commitment to contributing to the advancement of international peace cooperation.

2. Australia
　During the visit to Australia, Colonel Watanabe visited the Australian Defence Force Training Centre (ADFTC), achieving significant progress in strengthening cooperation between the two centers.
　This visit marked a new phase in Japan-Australia collaboration, with expectations for enhanced practical cooperation in peacekeeping activities.

(1) Signing of the Cooperation Plan

　The most notable achievement of the visit was the signing of the Cooperation Plan between the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) and the Australian Defence Force Training Centre (ADFTC)

(2) Meeting with the Commandant of ADFTC

　Following the signing, Colonel Watanabe held a meeting with Navy Captain Blackburn, Commandant of ADFTC.
　They shared the recognition that cooperation between the two centers had entered a new phase.

(3) Seminar

　At the invitation of the ADFTC Commandant, Colonel Watanabe attended a seminar held at the National Defence College titled “Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Intervention as a Political Tools.”
　At the seminar, he acknowledged Australia’s support for Japan’s PKO efforts and showcased Japan’s commitment to international peace cooperation, driven by values of discipline and high standards of quality, as reflected in programs such as Triangular Partnership Programme(TPP).

(4) Other Activities

　From September 15 to October 1, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Moritake, a researcher at the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, participated as an instructor in the United Nations Pre-Deployment Training held at the Peace Operations Training Centre within the same facility.
　This course aims to prepare candidates for UN PKO mission force headquarters by providing an understanding of staff activities within UN PKO mission force headquarters.
　As part of instructor exchange between the two centers, Lieutenant Colonel Moritake conducted two weeks of training.

On July 16, JPC invited Ms. KASUMI Kyo, who runs a samurai sword fighting dojo in New York, is active as an actress, samurai sword fighting instructor(or choreographer), and action director, and is dedicated to promoting Japanese culture, including the spirit and techniques of samurai sword fighting. She gave a lecture on human and cultural international exchange that contributes to global peace.

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Colonel WATANABE, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, participated as a panelist in a special symposium with UN Under-Secretary-General for Operational Suport, Atul Khare, hosted by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Colonel WATANABE introduced the capacity-building support provided by the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces for UN peace activities and discussed the future direction of international peace cooperation.

From June 13 to 27, Colonel NANJO, senior research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, participated as an instructor in Uniformed Women Peacekeepers’ Training (UWPT) held at the Republic of Korea PKO Center, Korea National Defense University in Nonsan.
　This course has been held annually since 2023, with 24 female officers from 12 countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, ROK, Thailand, Vietnam) participating in this time. The purpose is for female officers engaged in UN PKO to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as staff officers.
　Colonel NANJO served as an instructor for the approximately two-week education based on a request from Republic of Korea PKO Center. He provided lectures on the United Nations and peacekeeping activities, and played the role of a commander during table top exercise.

From Monday, May 5, 2025 to Friday, May 16, 2025, Colonel NANJO, JPC Senior Researcher participated in the United Nations Staff Course held at the Pakistan International Peace and Stability Center as an instructor, while Lieutenant Colonel Kayaba, JPC Researcher participated as a student. The participants were 30 members from international military, mainly south asia and middle east area.
　At this time, Colonel Nanjo, as instructor, gave a realistic lecture with his extensive experience of Peacekeeping Operation in the field and facilitated mutual understanding among participants with emphasis on discussion and group working.

From Tuesday, April 22, 2025 to Thursday, May 1, 2025, Colonel Nanjo, Senior Researcher and Lieutenant Commander SAITO, research officer from Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the Training of Trainers (ToT) course on the revised Core Pre-deployment Training Materials (CPTM) at the Republic of Korea Peacekeeping Operations Center in Nonsan, Republic of Korea. The ToT course was held by the Integrated Training Service (ITS) of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), with support from the Governments of Denmark and the Republic of Korea.
　A total of 29 military and police trainers from 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region took part. The ToT course provided practical learning through group discussions, role-plays, and interactive exercises. Each participant was assigned to facilitate a lesson using the updated CPTM materials, supported by ITS facilitators. The ToT course offered valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking among trainers from diverse backgrounds.
　The JPC participants gained practical insights into the application of CPTM in national training and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between ITS and Member State training institutions.

Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center's (JPC) annual Staff Officers Course has been recognized as compliant with United Nations training standards on the United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) and JPC acquired its certification on February 21, 2025.