Japan to study sending peacekeepers to South Sudan

Japan''s Defense Ministry will soon start a field study in South Sudan, so it can decide whether or not to send Self-Defense Forces to the country for a peace-keeping mission, as requested by the United Nations. The United Nations has decided to send 8,000 peacekeepers to South Sudan, and has asked Japan to send Self-Defense Forces to help the nation build infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. The Defense Ministry, along with other ministries, will send a team of experts to South Sudan by the end of August to study security and road conditions, NHK World Radio Japan reported Monday. After hearing from the team, the ministry will make a final decision on whether or not to send Ground Self-Defense Force troops as peacekeepers. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who is visiting Japan, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Monday afternoon. During the meeting, Ban is expected to again ask Japan to send peacekeepers to the country.