Seven nurses from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force are being sent to two medical centers in Osaka Prefecture to help deal with a surge in coronavirus infections at the request of the prefectural government.
A departure ceremony was held on Monday at Camp Itami of the GSDF's Middle Army in Itami City in Hyogo Prefecture.
Japan's minister in charge of coronavirus response says he will work closely with relevant governors on the "Go To Travel" campaign. He says it is likely the campaign would extend its exclusion of Sapporo and Osaka, cities with many coronavirus cases.
Nishimura Yasutoshi spoke to reporters on Friday.
NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry plans to dispatch Self-Defense Force medical personnel to Osaka Prefecture, where the healthcare system is under strain from a surge in coronavirus cases.
The ministry will likely send a total of about seven personnel consisting of nurses and other staff.
Officials of Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, are urging residents to refrain from making nonessential outings to help curb a spike in serious coronavirus cases.
The prefecture has raised its own coronavirus alert to its highest level and is asking residents not to go out unless necessary from Friday until December 15.
Voters in the western Japanese city of Osaka have voted to reject a plan to reorganize the city into four special wards similar to those in Tokyo. This means the current system will remain in place.
What's known as the "Osaka metropolis plan" called for abolishing the ordinance-designated city and creating four special wards, effective January 1, 2025.
Official campaigning has kicked off for a second referendum in Osaka City on whether to reorganize the city into wards similar to those in Tokyo.
What is known as the "Osaka metropolis plan" calls for abolishing the city and creating four special wards. Those who proposed the plan say it will eliminate administrative redundancy between the city and Osaka Prefecture.