“A Letter from the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan”

On August 26, the Signing Ceremony of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan was held at Freedom Hall in Juba. I had the honor to be present at that occasion on behalf of Japan. Japan welcomes the fact that the agreement was signed by all relevant parties and highly appreciates the efforts made by IGAD member states and concerned countries and organizations (Japan’s Foreign Press Secretary’s Statement on the signing.). It is now important for all the parties in South Sudan to implement this agreement with the support of the international community so that peace and prosperity would prevail in this country as soon as possible. I will do my utmost to make that happen.

 

Conflict-resolution signing by H.E. Kiir at Freedom Hall ©UN Photo/Isaac Gideon

Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan

 This month, as South Sudan made new strides into the resolution of conflict, Japan commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. On this important occasion, the Prime Minister of Japan issued a statement to express Japan’s determination to take the lessons of history deeply into our hearts, to carve out a better future, and to make all possible efforts for peace and prosperity of the world (Full text of the Abe Statement.). I would like to present this to you in this edition of the “Letter from the Ambassador”, as this statement has great implications for Japan’s policy toward South Sudan.

The Abe Statement looks back on Japan’s course of actions in the past, namely, losing sight of the emerging global wave of outlawing war, in favor of its own modernization. Eventually, Japan transformed itself into a challenger to the new international order, advanced the road to war, and devastated itself seventy years ago. Deeply repenting the past war and reminding ourselves of the fact that our country inflicted immeasurable damages and sufferings upon innocent people, Japan has since upheld the pledge never to wage a war again. The statement this time around reaffirms Japan’s steadfast determination never to deviate from this path of a peace-loving nation.

 

Prime Minister Abe upon the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII

National Memorial Service for the War Dead on 15 August

Furthermore, the statement expresses Japan’s faith in the below four principles such that the country will carve out a better future by taking the lessons of history to heart.

Firstly, Japan, which attempted to resolve a deadlock by force, will stand by the principle that any disputes must be settled peacefully and diplomatically. 

This time, all parties in South Sudan overcame the differences in their respective positions and signed the agreement to achieve peace. Both Japan and South Sudan know too well that any attempts to break a deadlock by force will bring about immeasurable damages to citizens. Japan, as a peace-loving nation, will continue its support toward the implementation of the South Sudanese peace agreement, sharing strong determination with parties in South Sudan.

Secondly, Japan, which grossly violated the dignity and the honor of many women during the war, will lead the world in turning the 21st century into an era in which women’s human rights will no longer be infringed upon.

For instance, Japan now actively supports the rights of South Sudanese women trapped in conflict situations through the assistance extended to the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery, obstetric clinics, the Special Protection Units of the South Sudanese National Police Service, and vocational training centres, through JICA, UNFPA, UNDP and UN Women, among others. The head of the gender unit of UNMISS and a gender-based violence protection officer of UNICEF South Sudan are both Japanese.

 

	Visiting the Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery supported through JICA/UNFPA
	Graduation ceremony at a Vocational Training Centre in Wau supported through UNDP

Thirdly, Japan, which learned close to home how economic blocs sowed the seeds of conflict, will reinforce its assistance to developing countries, recognizing prosperity as the very foundation for peace to thrive and making even greater efforts to fight against poverty that serves as a hotbed for violence.

Japan is behind South Sudan’s will to realize a durable peace through economic development by supporting infrastructure such as bridges, water supply and river ports, as well as by providing technical assistance through the Comprehensive Agricultural Master Plan which aims to develop the largest alternative industry to petroleum.

Lastly, Japan, which once challenged the international order, only to be devastated, will now bear the flag of “Proactive Contribution to Peace” and act upon peace and prosperity of the world more than ever before.

Japan mobilizes an engineering contingent of 350 Self-Defense Forces troops to UNMISS to contribute to peace as a member of the international community. This engineering contingent not only supports the UNMISS operations but also undertakes pro-bono activities benefitting other international organizations and the people of South Sudan.

 

Project site of the Freedom Bridge over the Nile

Road rehabilitation by the Japan’s SDF Engineering Contingent

Both Japan and South Sudan went through the scourge of war and share our strong wish for peace. It is my sincere hope that South Sudan, like Japan of 70 years ago, will steadily proceed on the path toward peace and prosperity in cooperation with the international community.