The Completion of the 11th UNSOC
From January 16 to February 8, 2023, the Japan Peacekeeping Training and Research Center (JPC) hosted the 11
th 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.
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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 11
th 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.
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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.
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- *UNHCR:The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
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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.
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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
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.
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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.
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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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