The Ministry of Defense in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. (Mainichi/Masahiro Ogawa)

       TOKYO -- A total of 135 Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) members at Camp Otsu in the west Japan prefecture of Shiga were confirmed infected with the coronavirus between Aug. 23 and Sept. 1, the GSDF announced Sept. 2.

       The 135 infected individuals live in the same dorm, and a majority reportedly have mild or no symptoms. The GSDF said they are all male, with 122 in their 20s, six in their 30s and seven in their 40s. Most joined the training unit at Camp Otsu from other camps in the GSDF Middle Army's jurisdiction, and have been taking various education programs since July.

       The first infection was confirmed Aug. 23 after one member reported feeling unwell. By Aug. 31, infections among 26 people were confirmed. On that same day, 154 personnel took polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests under instruction from a public health center. The results for 109 members came back positive the following day.

       Typically, between eight and 14 personnel share a room at the training unit's dorm, but numbers in each room are currently reduced and infected individuals quarantined. Because infections spread after the summer break between Aug. 13 and 18, the GSDF is reportedly considering measures including introducing PCR tests after long holidays.

       Yoshihide Yoshida, GSDF chief of staff, said at a Sept. 2 news conference, "We sincerely apologize for troubling concerned institutions, local residents and the local governments."

       (Japanese original by Yoshitake Matsuura, Tokyo City News Department)

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