The Japanese government will compile a plan to evacuate its nationals from South Korea in the event that escalating tensions between North Korea and the United States lead to a military clash, government sources said.

Under the first such plan to be shared by all relevant ministries and agencies, Japanese nationals are to be mainly transported via civil aircraft or vessels, and the roles to be played by each ministry will be clarified, the sources said Thursday.

The plan does not take into account support from the U.S. military for evacuating roughly 38,000 Japanese nationals residing in South Korea along with tourists, located mainly in and around the capital. Seoul sits close to the military demarcation line dividing the North and the South — leaving unanswered questions about the feasibility of the plan.