Last Japanese peacekeepers pull out of South Sudan

Juba - The last Japanese peacekeepers with a United Nations mission have left South Sudan.

The team was Japan's first with an expanded mandate to use force if necessary to protect civilians and UN staff.

Japan decided in March to end its peacekeeping mission in the East African nation where civil war is well into its fourth year.

The 350-member Japanese team had arrived in November and focused on road construction.

Japanese military involvement overseas is a sensitive issue at home. The military's use of force is limited by the post-World War II constitution.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had said he would resign if any member of the team in South Sudan were killed.

The departure of the Japanese peacekeepers is also a setback for international support of South Sudan's government.