As the government scrambles to evacuate Japanese and local staff working at its embassy and other Japanese organizations in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power, some of those involved in the mission aired safety concerns on Tuesday.
Some members of the Self-Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry expressed wariness over the fluid security situation in the country and the hurriedly arranged nature of the transport mission.
While the troops will be allowed to carry rifles, use of them is heavily restricted under Japanese law given that the mission is defined as an evacuation from a "safe place."