Defense chief encourages GSDF members in S. Sudan

Defense chief encourages GSDF members in S. Sudan

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka (C) speaks in the ministry in Tokyo on Feb. 21, 2012, via videophone with Col. Toru Namatame (R) of the Ground Self-Defense Force deployed in South Sudan. Tanaka encouraged GSDF personnel who arrived in the African nation the previous day to join a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

Japanese GSDF group arrives in S. Sudan

Japanese GSDF group arrives in S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan - Col. Toru Namatame of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (L) is interviewed by a local TV station in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Jan. 15, 2012, upon the arrival of an advance group of GSDF members preparing for the deployment of GSDF troops in U.N. peacekeeping operations in South Sudan.

Defense chief encourages GSDF members in S. Sudan

Defense chief encourages GSDF members in S. Sudan

TOKYO, Japan - Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka (C) speaks in the ministry in Tokyo on Feb. 21, 2012, via videophone with Col. Toru Namatame (R) of the Ground Self-Defense Force deployed in South Sudan. Tanaka encouraged GSDF personnel who arrived in the African nation the previous day to join a U.N. peacekeeping mission. (Kyodo)

Japanese GSDF group arrives in S. Sudan

Japanese GSDF group arrives in S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan - Col. Toru Namatame of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (L) is interviewed by a local TV station in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Jan. 15, 2012, upon the arrival of an advance group of GSDF members preparing for the deployment of GSDF troops in U.N. peacekeeping operations in South Sudan. (Kyodo)