The Defense Ministry issued an order on Saturday to dispatch Self-Defense Forces personnel to airports in an effort to boost border measures against the spread of the new coronavirus.
The voluntary dispatch has been implemented without requests from prefectural governors.
Personnel will be sent to such airports as Narita and Haneda airports, to support the processing of passengers flying in from Europe and other countries where the virus is spreading.
Defense Minister Taro Kono visited Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Omiya in Saitama City to offer words of support to GSDF members.
"We're at a critical stage that will determine whether we can stop the spread of infections or not," Kono said. "I want SDF members to carry out their duties while exercising caution about the risk of infections spreading among personnel."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
