The Japanese government is making arrangements to expand the role of a Self-Defense Forces mission in South Sudan as early as next May under the security legislation enacted last week, government officials said Tuesday.

Under the plan, the SDF personnel dispatched to the African country as part of U.N. peacekeeping operations would be newly allowed to help other countries' troops or U.N. staff under attack.

It could become the first case of practical application of the security laws, which are expected to be enforced around the end of next March.

Source: MENA