Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection at the SDF's activity base off the coast of Somalia in Africa, a sporting event was held at this base at the end of last month with about 130 members participating, followed by a social gathering with food and drink. I found out that I was holding a meeting.
The Ministry of Defense is investigating the possibility that the infection may have spread through such a place and will take thorough measures.
This was revealed by Koji Yamazaki, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, who is the top of the Self-Defense Forces, at a press conference on the night of the 8th.
At a base in Djibouti, a SDF unit that fights against piracy off the coast of Somalia, infection with the new coronavirus has spread earlier this month, and 21 out of 180 members have been confirmed to be infected so far.
Both are in stable condition and are isolated in a dormitory inside the base, and the Ministry of Defense says that the mission will not be affected at this stage.
According to the Ministry of Defense, a sporting event was held at this base on the 28th of last month, local time, in which about 130 members participated, and after that, a social gathering was held for about an hour with food and drink.
Participants basically took measures to prevent infection, such as wearing masks, but some members had removed their masks.
In addition, about one can of beer was provided per person at the social gathering, and some members continued to drink after the social gathering.
In principle, the Ministry of Defense prohibits members of domestic units from having dinner with a large number of people, but there are no clear rules for units dispatched overseas, and this event and social gathering will maintain the physical and mental health of the members. It means that it was held for the purpose of doing so.
The Ministry of Defense also revealed that 13 members of this base had a two-hour social gathering with drinking on the 1st of this month.
On the other hand, according to the Ministry of Defense, when four members of this base went out for work on the 25th of last month, they were eating at a restaurant without making the necessary notifications, so through such actions, events and social gatherings We are investigating in detail, considering that the infection may have spread.
At a press conference, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Yamazaki said, "I think the troops were relaxed. It is necessary to clarify why this happened and to thoroughly implement infection prevention measures."