The new team of Japanese soldiers will not be using force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

The legislation means that the Japanese troops can now use weapons, notably in rescuing U.N. staffers who come under attack and defending U.N. peacekeeping facilities, according to Japanese media.

It described them as Ground Self-Defense Force; 60 of them arrived in Juba on Monday while more are expected.

However, Amb Mawien Makol, spokesman, told Eye Radio on Tuesday that the government signed a document with the United Nations in 20102 to govern the relations between the two.

Mr Mawien said the document provides that UNMISS will assist the government to carry its work in protecting the civil population.

He told Eye Radio that the troops will not use any force.

“Japanese are here…as part of that peace, and they have to accept the rules and regulations under that pretext,” Amb Mawien stated.

“Their being here in South Sudan is with a consent of the government of South Sudan, and so they cannot work out of that consent.”

UNMISS is yet to comment on the matter.