The completion of the 13th PKOCCC
From July 1 to 19, 2024, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 13th UN PKO Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC).
In the first part, Japan Self-Defense Forces trainees studied international peace cooperation activities. In the second part, collaborated with
Institute for Security Governance (ISG) whose instructors have extensive experience in peace operations, JPC provided JSDF trainees and international participants with PKOCCC. In addition to specialized lectures, the PKOCCC offered numbers of small group work sessions where participants had lively discussions and shared their experiences and insights.
At the completion of the course, Vice-Commandant of Joint Staff College Rear Admiral KINOSHITA Harunobu and JPC director Colonel WATANABE Kuniyoshi expressed appreciations for collaborations of ISG and participation of worldwide training audience and they delivered their congratulatory address toward trainees on their successful completion of the course.
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Lectures and participation of international students to the 13th PKOCCC
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) has been holding the 13th Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) from Monday 01 July, 2024.
In the first part, lectures were given by COL. Araki Junko and LTC. Minaki Yusuke from UN Headquarters and COL. YAMADA Norikazu from Operations Department of the Japan Joint Staff, in order to provide knowledge and skills related to worldwide peace operations. Mr. Taura Masato, former Commanding General of the Northern Army of the JGSDF, and Mr. Inoue Ken, Director of the Japan Association for international Peacebuilding, were invited as lecturers to offer specialized and specific lectures based on their actual international experiences.
In the second part, 12 international training audiences as well as 6 Japanese trainees joined the course and experienced instructors of
Institute for Security Governance (ISG) provide their lectures and exercises. During the course, trainees learn the knowledge necessary to engage in peace operations as commanders through high-quality lectures and exercises as well as group work and discussion among training audiences from various backgrounds and experiences.
1st Week
Lectures by the external instructors and internal instructors
Mr. TAURA Masato Lieutenant General (Ret.) (JGSDF)
Former Commanding General of the Northern Army
Mr. INOUE Ken Director of Global Peacebuilding Association
COL. ARAKI from UN
Department of Peace Operations
LTC. MINAKI from UN
Department of Operational Support
COL. YAMADA from Operations
Department of the Joint Staff Office
Discussion
Students asking question
2nd Week
Group photo
Front row ：JPC staff and ISG staff
Back row ：JPC staff , ISG staff and trainees
international trainees
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The Opening Ceremony for the 13th PKOCCC
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) launched the 13th Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) on July 1, 2024. PKOCCC is held once a year for the purpose of acquiring knowledge and skills required for senior commanders and senior staff officers in international peace cooperation activities
At the opening ceremony, Air Force Lieutenant General YAJIMA Masahito, Commandant of the Joint Staff College (JSC), gave a speech in which he expected to achieve their objectives to acquire knowledge and skills proactively and also emphasized to establish relationships among international trainees and to broaden their horizons through lively discussions with instructors and trainees from foreign countries.
In the second week, international trainees experienced instructors from foreign countries join this program, lasting for three weeks.
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The Completion of the 12th PKOCCC
From July 10 to 28, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research
Center (JPC) hosted the 12th UN PKO Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) in Ichigaya.
In the first week of the course, the lectures on the legal framework related to the international peace cooperation activities and the lectures from guest instructors were held for Japanese students. In the second and third week, the PKOCCC was held by the US DoD ISG’s
(Institute for Security Governance) SMEs(Subject Matter Experts) including retired military officers.
In the PKOCCC, the ISG instructors gave the specialized lecture on the international peace cooperation activities. The students had the small-group works and actively took part in the discussions sharing their experience and knowledge to deepen their knowledge of international peace cooperation activities.
For the first time in PKOCCC, a part of the training class is conducted jointly by ISG and JPC instructors.
At the graduation ceremony, General Cammaert(Ret) praised that The 12th PKOCCC gained fruitful achievements than ever through active and insightful opinion exchanges Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Vice Admiral FUTAKAWA Tatsuya, delivered a speech to the students and encouraged them to “share the knowledge and the skill you have learned during the course and hope to be a core of the international missions in each missions” and all the students departed the JPC with newly acquired knowledge and skill to their units.
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Lectures by inside and outside the department and participation of international students to the 12th PKOCCC
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) is conducting the 12
th PKO Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) at its facility in Ichigaya, starting on July 10, 2023.
On the first week of the program, JPC staff members gave lectures to the students on relevant laws and regulations related to international peace cooperation activities, and on July 11, COL. ARAKI Junko from UN Headquarters and on July 12, LTC. SAKAIZAWA Itsuki from Operations Department of the Joint Staff Office was invited as the instructor, and on July 13, Mr. TAURA Masato Lieutenant General (Ret.) (JGSDF) Former Commanding General of the Northern Army and on July 14, Professor Emeritus. ISEZAKI Kenji from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) was invited as the instructor, giving specialized and specific lectures based on their experiences.
From the second week of the program starting on July 17, students from eight countries (Fiji, Jordan, Kenya, NZ, Thailand, Tonga, Viet Nam and Zambia) and Subject Matter Experts from the
Institute for Security Governance (ISG), who are consisting mainly of retired military officers, have been participating in this course. The students who enrolled in this course are available to receive the cutting-edged education from instructors who are well versed in the international peace operations and also can deepen their understanding required for unit commander or senior staff member.
For the first time in PKOCCC’s history, a part of the training class is conducted jointly by ISG and JPC instructors.
At the latter half of the course, various group works are scheduled where they presumably may be dispatched, to enhance student’s capability further more.
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The Completion of the 11th PKOCCC
From July 4 to 22, 2022, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 11
th UN PKO Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) in its facility in Ichigaya.
In the first week of the course, the lectures on the laws related to the international peace cooperation activities and the lectures by invited guests were held only for Japanese students. In the second and third week, the PKOCCC was held by the US DoD ISG’s (
Institute for Security Governance) experienced international instructors including retired military officers around the world for Japanese and international students.
In the PKOCCC, the ISG instructors gave the specialized lecture on the international peace cooperation activities. The students had the small-group exercises and actively took part in the discussions sharing their experience and knowledge to deepen their knowledge of international peace cooperation activities.
At the graduation ceremony, Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Lieutenant General TAJIRI Yusuke, made a speech to the students and encouraged them to “take home and share the knowledge and the skill you have acquired during the course and be a core personnel in the international missions,” and the student left the JPC with newly acquired knowledge and skill to their units.
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The Entrance Ceremony for the 11th PKOCCC
On July 4, 2022, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the entrance ceremony for the 11th UN PKO Contingent Commanders Course (PKOCCC) in its facility in Ichigaya.
This course is designed to make the participants “acquire knowledge and skills required to assume a leadership position of the contingent commander level in international peace cooperation activities.” This annual course has resumed after 2 years of suspension due to the COVID-19.
At the ceremony Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Lieutenant General TAJIRI Yusuke, made a speech to the students who will be dispatched to the international peace cooperation activities as a leader in the future. In his speech he encouraged the students to “ have a strong determination, acquire the basic knowledge and skills, actively take part in the discussion with your classmates and instructors, share your experience and knowledge with them, and study hard in order to be a leader who can complete complex and difficult international peace cooperation missions.”
Three-week course has started and from next week the invited experienced international instructors will educate both Japanese and international students.
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders'Course 2019
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the 8th United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders'Course(PKOCCC) from July 8 to 26, 2019.
This course is designed to make the participants“acquire knowledge and skills required to assume a leadership position of the contingent commander level in international peace cooperation activities.”In addition to Self-Defense Forces personnel, 11 foreign military officers from 10 countries including the first ever participants from Ethiopia, India and Jordan as well as members of Japan’s Cabinet Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs learned the latest challenges and trends in peacekeeping operations.
This time, we welcomed the Chief of the Joint Staff inspecting the course, and also received comments on the course and international peacekeeping operations from 4 of the foreign officers who attended the course.
The JPC will remain committed to developing capabilities of those who would make contributions to international peacekeeping operations.
Group photo
Lecturers within and outside the SDF
OSA Yukie, President of the Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan)
Col. KONDO Rikiya, Director of the JPC
Jean Baillaud (ISG* instructor)
Stein Ellingsen (ISG instructor)
Vasant Mande (ISG instructor)
MATSUZAWA Tomoko(ISG instructor)
*ISG: Institute for Security Governance (formerly Center for Civil-Military Relations, Naval Postgraduate School)
Lecture
Exercise (coordination meeting)
Presentation following group discussion
Inspection by Joint Staff Chief
Closing ceremony
Presentation of completion cocertificates
Handshake between JPC director and participants
Gift exchage with Spanish participant
Gift exchange with Sri Lankan participant
Gift exchange with Jordanian participant
Comments from the foreign military officers who attented the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (PKOCCC) (Listed in alphabetical order of their country names)
※ＰＫＯＣＣＣ：Ｕnaited Ｎations Ｐeasekeeping Ｏperations ＣontingentＣommanders'Ｃourse
Australia: LTC Katherine Elise Holbeck
I was fortunate to attend the 8th Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course in Japan during July 2019. I was interested in the course due to my role as Commaning Officer of the 39th Operational Support Battalion, which provides pre-deployment training to all Australian Defense Force individuals deploying to the Middle East region and on United Nations operations. I was thoroughly impressed with the high quality administration, the calibre of the staff (both at JPC and our visiting instructors), the pragmatic and detailed instruction, and the practical exercises used to amplify the lessons. I feel confident that I can use everything I have observed and learned for the improvement of my own training in Australia. A massive thank you to JPC for the opportunity to attend this excellent training activity.
Germany: LTC Volker Hahn
As head of the advisory group at the United Nations Training Center of the German Armed Forces, I have already been able to take part in several courses in several countries. The 8th Peacekeeping Contingent Commanders’ Course represents, in my these experiences, a positive pecuriality. First class UN-experienced teaching staff, a modern and impressive learning atmosphere, as well as a wonderfully hospitable country, allowed me the quick access to the course.
Attention to detail, combined with a great deal of joy in passing knowledge, made it easier for the participants from 11 different nations to be well-prepared to face their future tasks as contingent commanders in the UN mission. Still the motto of Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done!”
India: COL Rajkumar Pranjal Gohain
I had the privilege to attend the PKOCC Course in 2019. The course afforded me an indepth insight into the role and expectations from contingent commander. The course has been extremely well structured with well researched course material, extremely competent instructors training us with good training medium which, in addition to presentations, included group discussions, excercises and role play. The vast personal experiences shared by the instructors were invaluable and an excellent value addition, and enabled better understanding. I feel the course has been an outstanding experience for me and I feel more aware and empowered as a prospective cotingent commander.
Thailand: LTC Kaisin Sasunee
I am LTC Kaisin Sasunee. I will be serving in the UNMISS as a company commander of the second rotation of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company.
It has truly been my great honor to be part in the 8th PKOCCC. I have gained lots of knowledge, from subject matter experts and classmates who shared experiences from outstanding UN missions around the world. I am sure that this valuable opportunity and experience will help prepare me for the UNMISS this coming December 2019.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to the instructors, my fellows and classmates, and members of staff who organized and participated in this wonderful event.
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2018
From 9 to 27 July 2018, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) conducted the 7th United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (UNPKOCCC).
The aim of this course is “to acquire knowledge and skills required to assume a leadership position of the contingent commander level in international peace cooperation activities.”
In addition to JSDF personnel, three civilians from the MOFA and 8 foreign military officers from 7 countries, including first participation from Ghana, Qatar, and Sri Lanka learned the latest issues and trends of PKO.
This time, Lieutenant General (Retired) Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz, who previously held the post of Force Commander of the United Nations’ peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti, gave a lecture on peacekeeping operations in the field and important attitude as a commander.
The JPC will continue to develop human resources who can make contributions to international peace cooperation activities.
Group Photo
Lectures by Japanese and foreign lecturers
Dr Yuji Uesugi, Professor,
School of International Liberal
Studies, Waseda University
LTC Shingo Akeno,
International Cooperation Office,
2nd Operations Division, Joint Staff
COL Ken Yamamoto
（JPC Research Officer）
CDR Takashi Kawashima
（JPC Research Officer）
Mr. Santos Cruz
（CCMR Instructor）
Mr. Stein Ellingsen
（CCMR Instructor）
Mr. Vasant Mande
（CCMR Instructor）
Ms. Tomoko Matsuzawa
（CCMR Instructor）
※ CCMR：Center for Civil Military Coorperation
Group Discussion
Group Presentation
Snapshot of the Participants
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2017
From 3 to 21 July 2017, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) conducted the 6th United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (UNPKOCCC).
In addition to JSDF personnel, one person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 7 foreign military officers from 6 countries, including first participation from Spain, Mexico, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan learned the latest issues and trends of PKO. The JPC will continue to develop human resources who can make contributions to international peace cooperation activities.
Group Photo
Opening Ceremony
Class
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2016
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) conducted the 2016 United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (PKOCCC) from 4 to 22 July, 2016. This was the fifth iteration of the course. One student, each from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand and Malaysia, participated in the course and learned the recent challenges and developments in PKO, sitting shoulder to shoulder with SDF officers. The JPC will continue to actively promote effective training of PKO personnel of both foreign countries and Japan.
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2015
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), of the Joint Staff College (JSC), conducted the 2015 United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (PKOCCC) from 29 June to 17 July, 2015. This was the fourth iteration of the course. Nine students participated, including four personnel from the Ground Self-Defense Force, two from the Maritime Self-Defense Force, two from the Air Self-Defense Force and one civilian from the Ministry of Defense.
Japan has a policy to proactively undertake international peace cooperation activities. Our training course is just one part of the effort to develop the human resources necessary to implement that policy. Some of the graduates from the course will be dispatched overseas in the near future to participate in international peace cooperation activities. It is our sincere hope that they will demonstrate the skills learned from the training course while assisting the international peace cooperation activities.
The JPC will continue to provide the best educational services possible to match the human resource development requirements for our international peace cooperation activities.
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2014
The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the “United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (PKOCCC) 2014” in Tokyo from June 30th to July 18th, 2014.
This was the first class that accepted students from other Japanese ministries and from foreign militaries.
These students came from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cabinet Office, the German Navy and Thai Army.
The officers of the Japan Self Defense Force and the students from other agencies and nations, speaking in different languages and from different cultural backgrounds, engaged in very lively discussions throughout the course.
The JPC will prepare future training courses which will integrate students from outside the Japan Self Defense force even better.
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United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course 2013
Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the “United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Contingent Commanders’ Course (PKOCCC) 2013” in Tokyo, 1-19 July 2013. On 2 July, the second day of the course, Mr. Yasushi Akashi, former U.N. Under-Secretary-General, gave a special lecture based on his experiences at the U.N.
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