New Century Japanese Peacekeeping Operations Analysis

Maintenance of peace and security of the whole world is a most important function of UN and peacekeeping operation is considered as a significant way. As a defeated nation, Japan is imposed constraints on in the field of self-defense. But Japan dispatched her troops aboard for the first time in 1992 according to UN's peacekeeping operation, which has become focus of the international society, especially nations having been invaded by Japan. So it is of great significance for China to forecast the development of Japan's peacekeeping operation in the future by analyzing present one.This paper first introduces the history of Japan's peacekeeping operation, and the whole history can be separated into 3 main parts—be negative during the Cold War, dispatch troops according to PKO and in the name of anti-terrorism after the Cold War. Participating in UN peacekeeping operation strengthened her military power and increased her influence in the world, laying the foundation for her status of political power. The increase of Japan's military power is influential to international peace and security, particularly to China. Thus, it deserves our attention to realize what the role of Japan's peacekeeping operation is and what its future is. In the end, we can notice through analyzing that it is still difficult for Japan to realize her dream of becoming a military power, though such power has been increased. But her affluent human resource, advanced technology and abundant capital all reflect Japan's potential for a military power and this really deserves China's caution.