The Japanese government has designated an additional three airports and nine seaports in the country for use by the Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard.
The government plans to allow SDF and JCG aircraft and ships to smoothly use them for drills and other purposes through the designation. The move is part of efforts to enhance preparedness for contingencies and raise national defense capabilities.
Sixteen locations have already been put under the designation.
On Monday, the government added the three airports and nine seaports.
The airports are: Kagoshima Airport; Tokunoshima Airport in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan; Aso Kumamoto Airport in Kumamoto Prefecture, north of Kagoshima.
The seaports are: the ports of Kagoshima, Shibushi, Sendai, Nishinoomote, Naze and Wadomari in Kagoshima Prefecture; the ports of Kumamoto and Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture; Tsuruga Port in Fukui Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast.
The government plans to extend runways and expand wharfs if necessary. It maintains that all facilities will be mainly used by the private sector. It also says it aims to designate more facilities in coordination with local governments.