THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
April 14, 2022 at 16:32 JST
The Self-Defense Forces’ C-2 transport aircraft leaves the Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture in August to evacuate Japanese nationals from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. (Toshiyuki Hayashi)
Japan is considering using aircraft of the Self-Defense Forces on a regular basis to transport aid to areas near Ukraine to help people fleeing from the Russian invasion, government sources said.
According to the sources, the plan is now being discussed in response to a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for supplies, such as blankets, for displaced Ukrainians.
The sources said the use of SDF aircraft for such purposes would not be one-off but could continue for some time.
The destinations would be restricted to countries near Ukraine, not the invaded country itself.
The government is also considering chartering private companies’ aircraft for the same purpose.
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