Japan prepares to evacuate citizens from Sudan

Japan will send its defence aircraft, currently on standby in nearby Djibouti, to Sudan to airlift the Japanese nationals as soon as necessary preparations are completed. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Monday that Japanese Self Defence Force (SDF) transport aircraft will be sent to the African country “to achieve a prompt and safe evacuation of those who wish to leave.”

He refused to disclose the location, timing, number of evacuees or other details, citing safety reasons. Japan’s NHK public television reported that a Japanese SDF C-2 transport aircraft took off from a base in Djibouti on Monday. Three planes, including the C-2, and 370 troops sent from Japan for the mission have been standing by at a Japanese base in Djibouti, where Japan operates a routine anti-piracy mission.