Japan Deploys Aircraft in Eastern Africa for Potential Evacuation

Japan has announced the deployment of two Self-Defense Forces (SDF) transport aircraft to eastern Africa in preparation for a potential evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East, as regional tensions surge between Iran and Israel.

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed on Thursday that two C-2 transport planes, accompanied by around 120 personnel, will be dispatched to the SDF’s operational base in Djibouti.

The move follows a formal request from Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and comes amid mounting fears of wider conflict across the region.

The aircraft are scheduled to depart Japan on Saturday, according to officials familiar with the matter. Minister Nakatani emphasized that the government remains in the preparatory phase and no evacuation has yet been ordered.

As part of the preliminary measures, approximately 10 SDF members have already been deployed to the Middle East to collect on-the-ground intelligence. Authorities are also working to identify how many of the roughly 280 Japanese nationals in Iran and 1,000 in Israel wish to be repatriated.

In parallel to the aircraft mobilisation, Japan has begun ground evacuations, transporting its citizens and their families from Tehran to Azerbaijan and from Tel Aviv to Jordan by bus. These measures were taken in response to the closure of major airports in both countries due to the intensifying conflict.

The situation in the region deteriorated further following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, including reported hits on facilities in Arak. Tehran responded with missile attacks, one of which reportedly struck a hospital in southern Israel.