The first batch of Japanese peacekeeping troops with mandate to use force has arrived in South Sudan’s capital Juba this morning.

The troops were received at Juba International Airport by Japan’s Ambassador to Juba Kiya Masahiko together with their commander of peacekeeping force in South Sudan.

About half of the total contingent of 350 troops arrived yesterday while the others are scheduled to arrive in December. 

The Self-Defense Forces will replace a previous contingent of Japanese peacekeepers who served in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, but did not have mandate to use force.

This is the first time since the end of World War II that Japan’s parliament has enacted a law allowing its military to fight overseas. Japan's constitution is pacifist and forbids overseas military conquest or war-fighting. The new troops are only allowed to fight under limited circumstances, such as rescuing civilians in need of help.