NHK reported that following the partial lifting of the state of emergency, Defense Minister Kono told the press on Thursday that measures to restrict SDF exercises and nonessential outings by SDF members will gradually be lifted, while any SDF events where ordinary citizens can participate will continue to be suspended or postponed in principle. Kono reportedly said: “We hope to resume exercises in prefectures where the state of emergency has been lifted. We also hope to slowly lift the ban on nonessential outings at SDF camps and bases.”