災害派遣期間、過去最長に　自衛隊、東日本大震災超え―能登地震

　能登半島地震に伴う自衛隊の災害派遣が２３日で１７５日目となり、原発事故に関連した除染作業などを除く地震対応としては、東日本大震災を超えて過去最長となった。上下水道の復旧などに時間を要しているのが原因で、防衛省は地元の要望に基づき、今後も支援を続ける方針だ。
　自衛隊は元日の地震発生以降、延べ約１１３万人の隊員を投入。不明者捜索や物資搬送、給水支援などに当たった。インフラ復旧に伴い規模は縮小しているが、現在も陸自部隊約１００人が石川県珠洲市で入浴支援を続けている。
　制服組トップの吉田圭秀統合幕僚長は２０日の記者会見で、撤収の見通しは立っていないとした上で、「東日本大震災に比べ規模は小さいが、自衛隊に代わる手段がない地域が残っている。ニーズに応え、丁寧な支援を続ける」と話した。（2024/06/23-00:10）

A mission taken up by Japan's Self-Defense Forces in response to the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake became the SDF's longest quake response program Sunday, excluding decontamination work related to the 2011 nuclear accident triggered by a massive earthquake.
   Sunday marked the 175th day since SDF members were dispatched to areas affected by the New Year's Day earthquake in central Japan, longer than the mission following the March 2011 major earthquake and tsunami that mainly hit northeastern Japan.
   The record-long mission reflects time-consuming work to restore water supply and sewerage systems. The Defense Ministry plans to continue support based on requests from local communities.
   The cumulative number of SDF members dispatched to areas affected by the Noto quake has reached some 1.13 million. They searched for missing people, transported goods and provided water supply support.
   About 100 Ground SDF members are continuing to support bathing services in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, although the number of dispatched troops has dropped thanks to infrastructure restoration.