Japanese Minister of Defense arrived in Juba this morning.

During her 7-hour visit to South Sudan, Tomomi Inada will meet government officials and assess the possibility of resuming development work under Japan’s International Cooperation Agency.

According to a Japan Defense Ministry official, Inada is also expected to inspect the activities the Japanese forces under the U.N. peacekeeping operations are undertaking.

“It is important to see whether the (SDF) members are in a situation in which safety is ensured and they can engage in meaningful activities,” Inada said at a press conference before leaving for Juba on Friday.

Japanese government supported projects, including construction of bridges and water plants were suspended in July following the outbreak of violence in Juba.

The minister was initially supposed to visit Juba last month.

But due to an allergic reaction she developed after taking anti-malarial drugs, the visit was cancelled.