Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told a multinational security conference in Munich that Japan is eager to play a greater role in U.N. peacekeeping operations and consider a permanent law for the overseas dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces for international cooperation.

"Japan, as a 'peace-fostering nation,' is committed to fulfilling its responsibility by playing an active role in building peace in international society," Komura said in a speech before the Munich Conference on Security Policy on Asia's role in building international stability.

Japan is also ready to enhance "study on a legal framework necessary to make the most of Japan's human resources in a more flexible manner" for the peacekeeping missions, he said, indicating his country will consider a law that would allow Japan to send the SDF abroad to take part in international peacekeeping missions.