JPC Activities & Events 2026

On Thursday, 2 July 2026, Colonel WATANABE Kuniyoshi, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), delivered a lecture on international peace cooperation activities to students of the Kyoto University Graduate School of Public Policy at the Kyoto Provincial Cooperation Office of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
　The lecture was conducted at the request of the students as part of the Kyoto University Security Forum, an independent initiative organized by students seeking to deepen their understanding of Japan’s policies and challenges in the fields of diplomacy and security.
　During the lecture, Colonel WATANABE emphasized that “the essence of international peace cooperation lies not in the use of force, but in coordination.” He explained that Japan’s strength lies in its ability to connect stakeholders, build trust, and maintain order. He also discussed the current state of international peace cooperation activities, the challenges they face, and Japan’s role in contributing to international peace and stability.
　Following the lecture, an active question-and-answer session was held on international peace cooperation activities and the international security environment. Participants commented that the lecture helped them better appreciate the challenges of negotiation and coordination required to build consensus among people with diverse cultural backgrounds and values. They also expressed admiration for the efforts of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, which contribute to international peace by leveraging Japan’s strengths despite various challenges and constraints. The lecture provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of international peace cooperation activities.

On Saturday, 27 June 2026, Colonel Kuniyoshi WATANABE, Director of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), delivered a lecture on international peace cooperation activities to students of the Prep Room for Diplomats and International Officers (FDIO), an officially recognized student organization of Aoyama Gakuin University.
　FDIO was established to foster future professionals who aspire to serve in the international arena, including diplomats and officials of international organizations. The organization conducts study sessions, research activities, and lectures on international politics, diplomacy, and security. Its members regularly study international affairs, and many aspire to pursue careers in diplomacy and security-related fields.
　During the lecture, Director WATANABE explained the current status and evolution of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs), the significance of international peace cooperation activities conducted by the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and Japan’s contributions to international peace and stability. Drawing on practical examples, he emphasized that successful peacekeeping requires not only military capabilities but also dialogue and coordination with diverse stakeholders, trust-building, human resource development, and capacity-building support.
　Following the lecture, many students commented that it had provided a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of the realities and importance of international peace cooperation activities. In particular, many noted that they had gained a greater appreciation of the importance of coordination and trust-building among stakeholders in achieving sustainable peace. Others remarked that they had developed a new understanding of how Japan’s strengths in coordination, capacity-building assistance, and human resource development make significant contributions to the international community.
　As the students regularly study international politics and security issues, the lecture was followed by an active question-and-answer session on the future of PKOs and Japan’s role in international peace cooperation.
　JPC will continue to promote understanding of international peace cooperation activities through collaboration with universities and research institutions, while contributing to the development of future leaders who will play active roles in the international community.

On Wednesday, 8 July 2026, Colonel Getu TAYE, Commandant of the International Peace Support Training Institute (IPSTI) of Ethiopia, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, Colonel Getu TAYE was briefed on JPC’s mission and ongoing activities. The visit also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the importance of education and training in a multinational environment, in which participants from a wide range of countries come together to support international peace cooperation activities and other related efforts.

On 16 June 2026, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) provided support to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Everman of the United States Air Force, a Mansfield Fellow from the United States.
　During the visit, Lieutenant Colonel Everman met with the Director of JPC and received a briefing on the Center’s activities.
　The discussion covered outcomes in education and training, human resource development through international missions, and the importance of communication skills and cross-cultural understanding gained through overseas deployments.
　Participants also exchanged views on the coordination of ODA, OSA, and capacity-building assistance, as well as the potential of multilateral cooperation, deepening their understanding of future approaches to international cooperation.

From Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 12, 2026, WATANABE Kosuke, Lieutenant Commander and a researcher at the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), participated in the United Nations Staff Officer Course Training of Trainers (TOT) held at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) located in Port Dickson, Malaysia.
　This course aims to train instructors for the United Nations Staff Officer Course (UNSOC). A total of 21 participants, including members of the Self-Defense Forces, military personnel, and police officers from 16 countries, took part in the approximately two-week program.
　Through lectures on instructional techniques, group discussions, and teaching practice conducted by the participants themselves, Lieutenant Commander WATANABE enhanced his foundational knowledge of instructional methods as well as his ability to deliver training based on UN standard training materials.

From Monday, May 11 to Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Major OSHIMA Yuki, a researcher at the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, participated in the United Nations Staff Officer Course (UNSOC) held at the Australian Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre (ADFPOTC) in Canberra, Australia.
　This course aims to prepare individuals for deployment on UN operations by delivering training as a UN Staff Officer. A total of 18 participants (14 men and 4 women) from 9 countries took part in the two-and-a-half-week program.
　Through lectures, group discussions, and individual assignments, participants systematically learned the basic staff knowledge about UN peacekeeping operations such as its principles, legal framework and so on. Major Oshima developed his capability as UN mission HQ staff with the notional UN mission scenario exercise.

On 22 May 2026, Captain(N) HOMMYO Ryuji and Commander KATSUMATA Takao, researchers of the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), Japan Joint Staff College, participated in the *International Conference Dedicated to the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers* held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
　The conference was hosted by the Defense Research Institute of Mongolia under the theme of “Sharing Experiences and Strengthening Cooperation in International Peace Cooperation.” Researchers, military personnel, and practitioners related to peacekeeping operations from seven countries participated in the event. Active discussions were conducted on lessons learned from UN peacekeeping operations, education and training, and international cooperation.
　Captain HOMMYO delivered a presentation titled “Lessons from the JSDF’s First PKO Deployment,” examining the deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and Japanese civilian police officers to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). His presentation addressed legal frameworks, joint operations, rules on the use of weapons, the fatality involving a Japanese civilian police officer, and subsequent institutional reforms. He also discussed the development of international peace cooperation by countries with historical and institutional constraints through a comparative analysis of Japanese and German participation in PKO activities.
　Commander KATSUMATA delivered a presentation titled “Japan’s Evolving Contribution to UN Peacekeeping and the UNTPP,” focusing on recent changes in the operational environment surrounding UN peacekeeping and Japan’s contributions through the United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme (UNTPP). In particular, he discussed the importance of “enabler capabilities,” including engineering, transportation, and logistical support, as well as the standardization of training, institutional contributions, and middle-power diplomacy. His presentation examined how Japan has maintained its presence and influence in international peace cooperation without relying on large-scale troop deployments.
　Through participation in this conference, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center deepened its understanding of international peace cooperation through exchanges of views with PKO-related institutions and researchers from various countries. The conference also provided valuable opportunities for future education, training, and research activities.

On Wednesday, 25 March 2026, Lieutenant General Stefano Mannino, President of the Centre for Higher Defence Studies, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　During the visit, he received a briefing on JPC’s mission and current activities. Lieutenant General Mannino reaffirmed the importance of providing education and training in a multinational environment with international participants.

On Monday, 9 February 2026, Lieutenant General Koji Matsunaga, Vice Chief of the Japan Joint Staff, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC).
　After receiving a briefing on JPC’s mission and current activities, Lieutenant General Matsunaga observed the syndicate exercise in the 14th UN Staff Officers Course (UNSOC). He also confirmed the significance of conducting the UNSOC in a multinational environment, with participating international training audiences from 11 countries.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Ms. NEMOTO Kaoru, Director of United Nations Information Centre in TOKYO, visited the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center, where Colonel Watanabe, the Director of the Center, welcomed her.
　Ms. Nemoto observed a lecture on “Protection from Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)” in the 14th United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC). Following the lecture, she shared her views on recent developments surrounding CRSV and offered warm words of encouragement to the participants of the UNSOC.