Japanese military aircraft arrives in Maldives amid escalating Middle East tensions
8 މާރިޗު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 17:14In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, a Japanese military aircraft has been stationed in the Maldives to assist in the potential evacuation of Japanese nationals from the region. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the KC-767 transport aircraft is being held on standby as a precautionary measure to provide logistical support or emergency backup in the event that chartered evacuation flights encounter technical difficulties or other unforeseen complications.
Members of the Air Self-Defense Force boarded a Self-Defense Force (SDF) aircraft at Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture on Sunday morning, ahead of its scheduled flight to the Maldives. | JIJI
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) aircraft arrived in the Maldives on Sunday to assist in the potential evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East, as regional tensions escalate following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran.
A Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) aircraft will be stationed on standby at a Maldivian airport to respond to any technical issues or emergencies involving the government’s chartered evacuation flights.
The KC-767 aircraft departed from Komaki Air Base in Japan's Aichi Prefecture at approximately 2:55 a.m. on Sunday, arriving in the Maldives by Sunday afternoon, Japan time. According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Maldives serves as a designated stopover for Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) aircraft traveling to the Middle East and Europe, providing essential refueling and logistical support.
The vessel, which has a capacity of approximately 200 people, is carrying 30 members of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF). This mission is being conducted under the command of Lieutenant General Kenichiro Nagumo, head of the SDF Joint Operations Command, which oversees land, sea, and air forces.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday requested Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to make the necessary preparations for the evacuation of Japanese nationals overseas, pursuant to Article 84 of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) Act. Following this request, Minister Koizumi issued an operational order to Nagumo.
Furthermore, a Japanese government-chartered flight carrying Japanese nationals and their families from the Middle East is scheduled to arrive at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on Sunday night, departing from Oman. Additionally, another chartered flight is scheduled to depart from Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference on Friday that the Self-Defense Forces aircraft was dispatched as a precautionary measure, accounting for the potential deterioration of the situation or any technical issues that might arise with the aircraft.
Japan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday raised its travel alert to Level 3 for six Middle Eastern countries, advising citizens to avoid all travel to the region. This marks the second-highest tier in the country's four-level warning system.
