Japan has decided to extend the deployment of its Self-Defense Force members in South Sudan by one month to June 30. They are taking part in the United Nations peacekeeping operation there.

At a Cabinet meeting on Friday, the government also decided that it will send two more SDF personnel members. Four members of the Ground Self-Defense Force are currently stationed there.

Japan has been sending SDF members to the mission's headquarters in South Sudan since 2011.

The two additional members are a senior SDF officer and an aide who will be responsible for activities, such as training sessions.

Japan normally extends the SDF's deployment to the UN mission by one year, after the UN Security Council extends the mission's mandate for one year.

But this year, the Security Council has yet to decide how it wants to deal with the mandate. It has cited as a reason a need to make a determination about the situation in South Sudan.

Defense Minister Kihara Minoru spoke to reporters after the Cabinet meeting. He said that the SDF's participation in the UN mission is very important.

Kihara said that Japan will keep contributing to United Nations peace efforts.