Japan to join UN mission in Nepal

The Japanese government has said that it will send several Self-Defense Forces troops to the UN military observer mission in Nepal.

According to AFP news agency, the soldiers will help monitor weapons and soldiers as per the agreement on arms and armies management. “It is meaningful for us to take part in the international efforts led by the United Nations,” AFP quoted Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki as saying.

Shiozaki further said that the unarmed officers would be dispatched based on Japan's International Peace Cooperation law in response to requests from the United Nations.

"Japan has developed a close relationship with Nepal and it is meaningful for us to take part in UN-led international efforts," Shiozaki added.

“The number of personnel to be dispatched would be up to six, which is the number the United Nations is requesting from each country,” the news agency quoted a defence ministry spokeswomen as saying. nepalnews.com pb Feb 21 07