8 Japan’s Efforts in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: From the Perspectives of International Law and Foreign Policy-Making

Abstract

This chapter deals with Japan's efforts in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. After the Gulf Crisis of 1990-1991, Japan has come to recognize the need to contribute actively, while being within its constitutional framework, to UN peacekeeping operations. UN peacekeeping operations are peculiar international systems developed within the framework of the UN Charter, and Japan's efforts towards and contributions to peacekeeping operations can be considered as a unique legal process and development involving some elements of foreign policy-making. Japan has created a legal framework that enables it to participate in UN peacekeeping operations and other international activities. The compatibility between the domestic framework and the practice of UN peacekeeping operations is one of the issues highlighted in the chapter. Keywords: foreign policy-making; Gulf Crisis; Japan; UN Charter; UN peacekeeping operations