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Staff Officers' Course (SOC)

The Completion of the 12th UNSOC

 From January 15 to February 7, 2024, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 12th UN Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) 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 for the SDF students. From the second week onward, 12 international students from overseas joined the program and experienced instructors from Institute for Security Governance (ISG), mainly retired military officers from various countries, were invited to provide an international education in English.
 In the latter part of the program, ISG instructors gave specialized lectures on international peace cooperation activities, and the students got engaged in lively discussions based on their individual knowledge and experiences.
 During the last three days of the program, the students were able to deepen their knowledge of peace operations through exercises that simulated actual peace operations.
 In addition, JPC researchers were in charge of some of the lectures in the ISG’s curriculum, which enabled more effective implementation of lectures and exercises, as well as capacity building support by the ISG, leading to a stronger educational system at the JPC in the future.
 At the closing ceremony, Mr. Lance Sells ISG Program Manager, gave a speech saying “I am glad that we were able to develop human resources with the knowledge and skills necessary to play an active role in UN missions.”In addition, at the graduation ceremony held after the closing ceremony, Commandant of the Joint Staff College, LtGen SAKAMOTO Koichi said to Japanese students, “I hope that you will actively spread the knowledge and skills you have acquired in this course, and that you will become the core of your international missions.” The ceremonial address was read and delivered by COL TAKEKUMA Koichi, Director of the JPC. The students then left Ichigaya for their respective home countries and units.
  • ISG Instructors


  • Mr. Harley Alves
    Retired Lieutenant Colonel,
    Brazilian Army

  • Mr. Stein Ellingsen
    Retired Lieutenant Colonel,
    Norwegian Army


  • Ms. MATSUZAWA Tomoko
    Director for International Cooperation on Women, Peace and Security(WPS),
    (Indo-Pacific Regional Policy Division) Ministry of Defense







  • Lecture







  • Group Discussion during Exercise










  • Integrated Staff Exercise





  • Closing Ceremony





  • Graduation Ceremony


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Lectures by Global Peacebuilding Association Vice President and participation of international students to the 12th UNSOC

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) is conducting the 12th UN Staff Officers' Course (UNSOC) at its facility in Ichigaya, starting on January 15th, 2024.
 In the first week, our center gave a lecture on laws and regulations related to international peace cooperation activities, and we also invited Vice President INOUE Ken from Global Peacebuilding Association as an external lecturer, and LTC SAKAIZAWA Tatsuki from Operations Department of the Joint Staff Office and MAJ HARADA Toshiyuki from International Peace Cooperation Activities Training Unit, GSDF as internal lecturers. They gave lectures with specialized and specific content based on their experiences.
 Additionally, as part of Japan-Australia defense exchanges, our center and Australian Defence Force Peace Operations Training Centre (ADFPOTC)conduct instructor exchanges. This is the first time for our center to welcome staff from other countries as instructors, and the lectures are provided by ADFPOTC staff who have extensive experience in international peace cooperation activities, providing even higher quality education.
 In the second week from Monday, January 22nd, international students from 11 countries (Australia, Germany, Jordan, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Republic of Kosovo, Singapore, Thailand, United States, Vietnam, and Zambia) joined as students. Education based on United Nations standard teaching materials is provided by experienced Institute for Security Governance(ISG)instructors who are mainly former military personnel.
 Enrolling students receive high-quality education from instructors who are familiar with international peace cooperation activities, and through exchanging opinions with students from other countries who have different insights and experiences, they deepen their knowledge as staff members engaged in duties such as international peace cooperation activities.
 In addition, a part of JPC staffs conduct some of the lectures in English to improve the knowledge of the students and improve their skills.
 In the latter half of this course.
 The tabletop and command post exercises are scheduled to enhance and facilitate understanding of students where they can rollplay on the assumption of actual UN tasks.
  • Lectures by the external and internal instructors



  • Vice President INOUE Ken from Global Peacebuildimg Association


  • LTC SAKAIZAWA Tatuki
    from Operations Department of
    the Joint Staff

  • MAJ HARADA Toshiyuki
    International Peace Cooperation
    Activities Training Unit, GSDF






  • Lecture




  • UNSOC Opening Ceremony


  • Group photo
    Front row :Commandant of the Joint Staff College and ISG staff
    Back rows :Instructor and Students

  • Program Manager, ISG
    Mr. Lance Sells

  • Commandant of the JSC


  • Self introduction


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The Opening Ceremony for the 12th UNSOC

On January 15, 2024, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the opening ceremony for the 12th UN Staff Officers' Course (UNSOC) in its facility in Ichigaya.
 This course is held once a year to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their duties as mid-level staff members who plan and organize international peace cooperation activities.
 At the opening ceremony, the Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Air Force Gen SAKAMOTO Koichi encourage the student, who are expected to serve as staff members of the dispatched troops in their future missions and formulate the plans necessary to carry out the mission, “Current United Nations PKO are becoming more and more complex, you are required to handle difficult missions in the field. Thus, through this course, I hope that each student will improve his own abilities to the next level and be able to respond to any situation. I also hope that students from different positions and military types will share and integrate knowledge and that you will grow into human resources with a wide range of perspectives and a sense of balance.”
 Three-week course has started only by Japanese participants firstly and international students and experienced instructors are going to join in it from next week.
  • Group photo
    Front row: Commandant of the Joint Staff College and JPC staff
    Back row: Students

  • Opening Ceremony


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The Completion of the 11th UNSOC

From January 16 to February 8, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 11th UN Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) 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 for the Ministry of Defense students. From the second week onward, in addition to the participation of the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation HQ, the program welcomed students from overseas and experienced Institute for Security Governance (ISG) instructors, mainly retired military officers from various countries for the first time in three years. And all the contents of this international education program were conducted in English.
 In the latter part of the program, ISG instructors gave specialized lectures on international peace cooperation activities, and the students engaged in lively discussions based on their individual knowledge and experiences.
 During the last three days of the program, the students were able to deepen their knowledge of peace operations through exercises that simulated actual peace operations.
 In addition, for the first time, JPC researchers were in charge of some of the lectures in the ISG’s curriculum, which enabled more effective implementation of lectures and exercises, as well as capacity building support by the ISG, leading to a stronger educational system at the JPC in the future.
 At the graduation ceremony, Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Vice Admiral FUTAKAWA Tatsuya, made a speech to the students and encouraged them to “take home and share the knowledge and the skills you have acquired during the course and be a core personnel in the international missions,” and the students left the JPC with newly acquired knowledge and skills to their units.
  • Group photo (Masks were removed only during the phot shoot.)
    Front row :JPC Director and ISG staff
    Back rows :JPC staff and Students

  • ISG Instructors


  • Mr. Stein Ellingsen
    Retired Lieutenant Colonel,Norwegian Army

  • Ms. HIRAI Reiko
    Engaged in humanitarian +
    development assistance as a consultant


  • Mr. Harley Alves
    Retired Lieutenant Colonel,Brazilian Army

  • Mr. Hilary Nicholson
    Retired Lieutenant Colonel,Australian Army







  • Lecture






  • Group Discussion during Exercise










  • Integrated Staff Exercise





  • Closing Ceremony





  • Graduation Ceremony

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Lectures by Prof. Shinoda, TUFS and participation of international students to the 11th UNSOC

The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) is conducting the 11th UN Staff Officers' Course (UNSOC) at its facility in Ichigaya, starting on January 16, 2023 with five domestic participants.
 In 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 January 17, Prof. Hideaki Shinoda from Graduate School of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) was invited as the external instructor and on January 19, LTC SONODA Naotaka from Operations Department of the Joint Staff Office was invited as the internal instructor, giving specialized and specific lectures based on their field experiences.
 From the second week of the program starting on January 23, students from six countries (Australia, Kenya, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, and the UK) 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 can receive the cutting-edged education from instructors who are well versed in the international peace operations and also can deepen their understanding required for operational-level UN staffers.
 The characteristic point is that from this time some seleded JPC researcers became to be in charge of some lessons in full English.
 In the latter half of the course, various exercises are scheduled where they presumably may be dispatched, this is to enhance their capabihity further more.
  • Lectures by the external and internal instructors


  • Prof. Hideaki Shinoda from Graduate School of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies


  • LTC SONODA Naotaka from Operations Department of the Joint Staff Office




  • Discussion



  • UNSOC Opening Ceremony


  • Deputy Program Manager, ISG
    Ms. Carry Oconnell

  • Col TAKEKUMA,
    Director of the JPC

  • Opening Ceremony




  • Lecture by JPC instructor

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The Entrance Ceremony for the 11th UNSOC

On January 16, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the entrance ceremony for the 11th UN Staff Officers' Course (UNSOC) in its facility in Ichigaya.
 This course is held once a year to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their duties as mid-level staff members who plan and organize international peace cooperation activities.
 “This is the first time in three years that international students will participate in this training course. I hope that students with diverse backgrounds will proactively exchange each other’s strengths and grow into individuals with broad perspectives and a sense of balance, who are suited to international peace cooperation activities.”the Commandant of the Joint Staff College, Vice Admiral FUTAKAWA Tatsuya expressed his wish in his speech.
 Three-week course has started only by Japanese participants firstly and international students and experienced instructors are going to join in it from next week.
  • Group photo (Masks were removed only during the photo shoot.)
    Front row: Commandant of the Joint Staff College and JPC staff
    Back row: Students

  • Entrance Ceremony


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FY2021 United Nations Staff Officers Course (special)

From January 24 to February 4, 2022, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the FY2021 United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) at its facility in Ichigaya.
 In light of the novel coronavirus situation, we forwent invitation of foreign instructors, foreign students and students from other ministries and agencies. The course was attended by seven personnel from the ground, maritime and air self-defense forces and civilians including candidates for a dispatch in FY2022.
 In this training course, lectures were given not only by the center’s staff but also by instructors we invited from in and out of the SDF: Ms. ONO Yoko, External Relations Officer at UNHCR* Japan; Maj. TAKETATSU Yusuke of the Personnel & Education Department, Ground Staff Office; and from the U.S. online: Col. ARAI Nobuhiro of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and Lt. Col. KAWASAKI Machiko of the United Nations Department of Operational Support, each of whom gave a professional and effective lecture based on their experience in the United Nations and the deployment, and actively exchanged opinions with the students. Also, through reality-based group studies, the students acquired knowledge necessary for staff officers in international peace cooperation activities and other operations.
 The course was held under thorough anti-infection measures against the novel coronavirus such as avoiding the “three C’s” (closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings).
 The JPC will continue to develop the capabilities of such personnel as future commanders and staff officers of international missions in an attempt to meet the needs of today’s diversified and complicated international peace cooperation activities, and to contribute to research and studies of such activities.

  • *UNHCR:The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Group photo (Masks were removed only during the photo shoot.)
    Front row: Commandant of the Joint Staff College and JPC staff
    Back row: Students


  • Classes by guest lecturers


  • Ms. ONO Yoko
    External Relations Officer at UNHCR Japan


  • Col. ARAI Nobuhiro
    UN Department of Peace Operations
    (Online lecture)

  • Lt. Col. KAWASAKI Machiko
    UN Department of Operational Support
    (Online lecture)

  • Maj. TAKETATSU Yusuke
    Personnel & Education Department, Ground Staff Office




  • Class




  • Group studies and presentations


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FY2020 United Nations Staff Officers Course (special)

 From March 1 to 12, 2021, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center held the FY2020 UN Staff Officers Course (Special) in its facility in Ichigaya.
 The center invited as a lecturer, Lt. Col. KAWAMOTO Yoshiaki of the Assignment Division, Personnel & Education Department, Ground Staff Office.
 Due to the situations relating to the pandemic, a part of the course from March 1 to 5 was combined with the Basic Course. Also, we decided not to gather foreign instructors and students as well as students from other ministries and agencies. The course was attended by six officers from the Ground Self-Defense Force that include candidates for dispatch to a mission in FY2021.
 The name of the course was also changed to “FY2020 Staff Officers Course (Special)” because the duration and other things differed from those of usual years.
 The students gained knowledge and skills required for staff officers engaged in international peace cooperation activities.
 In order to meet the diversified and complicated needs of today’s international peace cooperation activities, the JPC will continue to train commanders and staff officers to be deployed and contribute to Japan’s efforts in such activities.
  • Group photo (Masks were removed only during the photo shoot.)
    Front row: Commandant of the Joint Staff College and the JPC staff
    Back row: Students


  • Lecture by the guest



  • Lt. Col. KAWAMOTO Yoshiaki of the Assignment Division, Personnel & Education
    Department, Ground Staff Office




  • Class




  • Group study and presentation


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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2020

 From January 27 to February 19, 2020, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 8th United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC), in which 9 JSDF personnel and one civilian of the Ministry of Defense as well as 7 foreign military officers from 7 countries, 2 civilian officers from the Cabinet Office and one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated.
 The JPC will continue to help develop capabilities of future contingent commanders and staff officers to be deployed to peacekeeping missions in order to meet the needs of today’s diversified and complicated peace cooperation activities and contribute to Japan’s efforts in such activities.

 ※UNSOC: United Nations Staff Officers Course
  • Group Photo


  • Lecturers from in and out of JGSDF/MOD



  • Maj. KAWATA
    Research officer, JPC

  • Maj. ABO
    International Peace Cooperation Activities
    Training Unit, JGSDF

  • Lt. Col. UCHIDA
    International Cooperation Office
    2nd Operations Division, Joint Staff

  • Lt. Col. KAWAHARA
    Capacity Building Assistance Office
    International Policy Division
    Bureau of Defense Policy, MOD

  • Ms. MATSUZAWA
    Director
    Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region
    Defense Policy Bureau, MOD

  • Ms. NATORI
    President
    Association for Aid and Relief Japan

  • Mr. Ellingsen
    Instructor, ISG*

  • Mr. Alves
    Instructor, ISG*

  • Mr. Bower
    Instructor, ISG*

  • Ms. Hirai
    Instructor, ISG*


*ISG:Institute for Security Governance


  • Lecture

  • Group discussion


  • Presentation on the group discussion

  • Exercise



A comment from a participant


Lt. Col. Klein, German Army


I had the privilege to attend the UNSOC 2020 here in Japan. I was deeply impressed with a 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. First class UN- experienced teaching staff, a modern and impressive learning atmosphere as well as very good colleagues from 8 different countries, allowed me the quick access to the course. The UNSOC 2020 has been an outstanding experience for me and I feel more aware and empowered as a prospective UN Staff Officer. A massive thank you to JPC for the opportunity to attend this excellent training activity.


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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2019

 From 28 January to 20 February 2019, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) held the 7th United Nations Staff Officers’ Course (UNSOC).
 In addition to 9 JSDF personnel, one civilian from the Cabinet Office, one civilian from the MOFA and 8 foreign military officers from 8 countries including Germany participated in the course.
 In order to fulfill the growing needs of modern PKO which are becoming even more diversified and complicated in future, the JPC will continue to contribute to international peace cooperation activities by providing educational services to future contingent commanders and staff officers who work for the UN force HQ.
 ※UNSOC: United Nations Staff Officers Course
  • Group Photo


  • Lectures by Japanese and foreign lecturers



  • Dr. OSA Yukie,
    President of the Association
    for Aid and Relief (AAR), Japan

  • CDR KARAKI Seiji
    (JPC Research Officer)

  • Mr. Harley Alves
    (CCMR Instructor)

  • Mr. Ivan Parker
    (CCMR Instructor)

  • Mr. Alex Lee
    (CCMR Instructor)

  • Ms. MATSUZAWA Tomoko
    (CCMR Instructor)

  • ※ CCMR:Center for Civil Military Coorperation


  • Female participants

  • Class


  • Group Discussion



  • Group Presentation



  • Update Briefing


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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2018

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) of the Joint Staff College held the 6th International Peace Cooperation Intermediate Course at the JPC in Ichigaya, Tokyo between 29 January and 21 February 2018. A total of 10 participants consisting of 8 SDF officers and 2 civilians from the Ministry of Defense took the course.
 In addition, 7 foreign military officers from 6 countries including Bangladesh as well as 4 civilians from the Cabinet Office joined them in the United Nations Staff Officers Course, which is a part of the Intermediate Course and starts from the second week.
 In order to fulfill the growing needs of modern PKO which are becoming even more diversified and complicated in future, the JPC will continue to contribute to international peace cooperation activities by providing educational services to future contingent commanders and staff officers who work for the UN force HQ.
 The JPC will stay in welcome for foreign officers’ participation in its courses.
  • Group Photo

  • Opening Ceremony

  • Group Discussion

  • Lecture by JPC Research Officer

  • Closing Ceremony

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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2017

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) conducted the 5th  United Nation Staff Officers’ Course (UNSOC) at Ichigaya office in Tokyo from 30 January to 22 February 2017. The course is designed in compliance with UN standards utilizing the STM (Specialized Training Materials), and open to foreign military officers as well. This time, 10 military officers from 7 countries including the U.S. joined us. That was the largest number of foreign participants ever.
 The JPC will stay in welcome for foreign officers’ participation in its courses.

  • Group Photo

  • Opening Ceremony

  • Class

  • Lecture by Senior Research Officer

  • Closing Ceremony

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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2016

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), of the Joint Staff College (JSC), conducted the “United Nations Staff Officers’ Course 2016” in Tokyo from 1 to 24 February 2016.

 This was the fourth iteration of the course, which consists of two programs; one is open to SDF service members, and the other, based on UN standardized materials, is open to both SDF and non-SDF personnel. This year’s course included 5 GSDF personnel, 2 MSDF personnel, 2 ASDF personnel, 1 MOD civil servant, 1 member of the cabinet office, 2 Australian military officers and 1 Malaysian military officer. Mr. Nakatani, the Minister of Defense, observed some of the discussions during the course.

 In accordance with Japan’s policy that we will proactively engage in training peacebuilding experts and PKO personnel in various countries, the JPC will do our utmost to contribute towards international peace by providing quality educational services to help develop commanders and staff officers new to PKO missions, permitting them to meet the demands of increasingly diversified and complicated international peace cooperation activities.

  • Group Photo

  • Opening Ceremony

  • Lecture by a research officer of JPC

  • Lecture by Dr. Uesugi, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University

  • Lecture by an instructor from abroad

  • Minister of Defense encouraged students

  • Minister of Defense exchanged courtesies with instructors

  • Exercise

  • Graduation Ceremony

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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2015

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), of the Joint Staff College (JSC), conducted the “United Nations Staff Officers’ Course 2015” from 19 January to 10 February, 2015.
 This was the third iteration of this JPC course, whose purpose is to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for staff officers to support peacekeeping operations (PKO.) The course consists of two programs; the first is open to SDF service members, and the latter, based on U.N. standardized materials, was opened to personnel from within and outside of the SDF.
 This year’s course included 12 SDF personnel, 1 person from the Cabinet Office, and 8 military officers from other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom. Throughout the course, students learned the operational principles and procedures of U.N. PKO missions and gained the critical skills staff officers involved with PKO missions need, all while promoting friendly ties and increasing the mutual understanding among them.

 In light of the increased necessity for integrated U.N. missions, there is a need to provide pre-deployment education to military personnel, police officers, and civilians at the same time in the same classroom. Since they will conduct international cooperation activities on site together, this joint training method will ensure they are able to cooperate closely with each other out in the field. The JPC will continue to do its utmost to provide better education, both at home and abroad, for personnel who will be proactively engaged in various peacekeeping activities.
 This includes education for U.N. peacekeeping operations in order to assist maintaining international peace and security.

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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2014

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), of the Joint Staff College (JSC), conducted the “United Nations Staff Officers’ Course 2014” in Tokyo from 3 to 26 February 2014.

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United Nations Staff Officers Course 2013

 The Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC), of the Joint Staff College (JSC), conducted the “United Nations Staff Officers’ Course 2013” in Tokyo from 25 February to 19 March 2013.

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