Two Japanese Air Self-Defense Force aircraft are heading for Jordan and Greece to prepare for the possible evacuation of Japanese nationals and others from Lebanon amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The two C-2 transport aircraft left the Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, around 8 a.m. on Thursday.
The Japanese government plans to keep the planes on standby to evacuate about 50 Japanese citizens who are currently in Lebanon.
This is the second time that Self-Defense Force aircraft have been deployed in response to the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
In October and November last year, a total of 129 people, including Japanese and South Koreans, were evacuated from Israel by the SDF.