A study report by the Cabinet Office says that Japan does not need to own a hospital ship and instead just use existing commercial or Japan Coast Guard ships to provide emergency medical care in case of disasters and emergencies. It will cost the government 140 to 350 million dollars to build and 9 to 25 million dollars to maintain.
A group of nonpartisan lawmakers “demanded” that Japan have its own hospital ship, especially after the severe damage suffered by medical facilities in northeastern coastal areas during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters. The report recommends that instead of purchasing a hospital ship, the government should instead charter or renovate commercial and coast guard ships and install medical equipment on them. |
