Kishida: "Thank you for South Korea's cooperation"... Japan also succeeds in evacuation operation for Sudanese residents

45 Japanese Rescued via Japan Air Self-Defense Force
Land Transport Difficult Due to Constitutional Constraints
Also Evacuated by Korean Transport Aircraft, Kishida Expresses "Thanks"

As clashes between government forces and rebel groups intensify in Sudan, Africa, the Japanese government has also launched an operation to evacuate its nationals residing in Sudan. Since the use of force is constitutionally restricted and cooperation from other countries is essential during the operation, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed gratitude to the countries, including South Korea, that provided assistance. Japanese media reported that the constitutional constraints reveal the limitations of the Self-Defense Forces' evacuation operation, and there are calls to relax the constitution using this operation as an excuse.

According to NHK on the 25th, a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C2 transport aircraft arrived at Djibouti, a neighboring country with a Self-Defense Forces base, carrying 45 people, including 41 Japanese nationals and 4 foreigners, who were staying at Port Sudan Airport in eastern Sudan. Since the Self-Defense Forces have not yet started "land transportation," these individuals had to travel by land in several groups from the capital, Khartoum, to the airport to escape.

As Japan is a former Axis power, its constitution restricts the use of force, so obtaining consent from other countries is necessary to transport Japanese nationals by land in Sudan. For this reason, it is known that UN personnel accompanied the land evacuation for safety. All of them are safe without injuries, and their schedules, such as returning to Japan, will be adjusted according to their wishes.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In addition to the Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft, some Japanese nationals escaped with the help of other countries. Prime Minister Kishida announced that four Japanese nationals were evacuated through cooperation with the French military and the International Red Cross, and that several Japanese also withdrew from Sudan on a South Korean military aircraft.

At a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Office, Kishida said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the embassy, the Self-Defense Forces, and others involved for successfully carrying out the evacuation operation of Japanese nationals in a dangerous and difficult situation," and added, "I also extend my thanks to South Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other related countries and organizations, including the United Nations, that cooperated."

The Japanese government is considering evacuating the remaining Japanese nationals by land transportation. If land transportation is approved, the Self-Defense Forces can evacuate Japanese nationals using armored vehicles and other means. This would be the first case since the 2013 amendment to the Self-Defense Forces Act allowing such operations.

If land transportation is conducted, the use of weapons for protection is also permitted. However, this is subject to conditions: ▲ no combat activities occur in the area, ▲ consent from the territorial state for Self-Defense Forces activities is obtained, and ▲ coordination with authorities is possible.

Because of this, there is internal criticism that Japan cannot proactively evacuate its nationals like the United States and other countries. It is argued that legal and equipment issues need to be resolved.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Japanese media are appealing for the removal of constitutional restrictions on this occasion. In an interview with Katsuki Takada, former Commander-in-Chief of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Asahi Shimbun reported, "Most U.S. overseas posts have stationed Marines. They could have maintained contact with Sudanese military organizations and been present to avoid combat during evacuation operations," and added, "Since Japan's defense attach? to Ethiopia is also responsible for Sudan, establishing a military intelligence network is essential to conduct operations like the U.S."

He further stated, "Because Japan cannot use force under the constitution, it is difficult to transport Japanese nationals while defending against incoming bullets," and added, "To act like the U.S., fundamental issues such as constitutional (amendment) must be addressed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.