Japan to send experts to Syria

Japan has decided to send three experts from the Self-Defense Forces to Syria to inspect the process of destroying the country's chemical weapons arsenal, Japan's Radio (NHK World) reported This comes after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons adopted a plan on Friday, to transport most of the stockpile outside the country by the end of the year and dispose of it. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that global efforts are underway to dispose of Syria's arsenal, and Japan will cooperate as much as possible, the NHK World reported. Kishida said the three experts have in the past belonged to the OPCW and have experience in disposing of chemical weapons. They are expected to monitor operations to ensure that the stockpiles are properly collected, transported out of the country and disposed of.