The Liberal Democratic Party and the Liberal Party confirmed Wednesday that the Self-Defense Forces will not participate in United Nations armed operations, according to representatives of the two parties.
During a meeting of one of five groups working to iron out policy gaps between the parties, the two sides agreed that based upon the principles of the Constitution, Japan will participate in U.N. peace activities, according to the two leaders of the project team on security issues.
But in what appears to be a softening of the Liberal Party's stance, the two parties confirmed that Japan will not participate in U.N. armed operations and exchanged views on what kind of rear-area support the SDF can provide.