Evacuation of Japanese citizens from crisis-hit Sudan halts.

Japan's defense ministry has started preparations to evacuate its citizens from Sudan as deadly fighting continues. The foreign minister has requested the use of the Self-Defense Forces' plane for the evacuation. About 60 Japanese nationals were in Sudan as of Wednesday, and the government has been able to contact all of them and none of them were injured. The government will work with other major countries to ensure the safety and evacuation of Japanese nationals.