All of the Ground Self-Defense Force troops deployed for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Sudan have returned to Japan, ending Japan's five-year mission in the war-torn country, the Self-Defense Forces said Saturday.

The withdrawal of the 350-member unit took place in stages based on a government decision announced in March.

With no SDF unit engaged in an active U.N. mission, Tokyo is considering other ways to contribute to international peace-building efforts.