Arab News Japan
TOKYO: The Japanese government has raised Lebanon’s alert to Level 4, the highest level, and is urging all Japanese nationals to leave the country immediately, regardless of circumstances.
On March 16, the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Safety cautioned that Hezbollah’s assaults on northern Israel, reportedly supported by Iran, along with the widening scope of Israeli military strikes into Beirut Governorate, the Dahieh district, and Lebanon’s central mountains, have sharply heightened the risk of chaos in Lebanon.
As a result, all regions of Lebanon, including Beirut Governorate, have been raised from Level 3 (avoid all travel) to Level 4 (evacuate immediately). The entire country now stands under the most severe alert.
“Please do not travel to Lebanon for any reason. If you are currently in the country, take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Evacuate as soon as possible while commercial flights are available. If you must remain, exercise heightened caution, monitor updates from multiple sources, and implement robust safety measures,” the advisory stated, urging Japanese citizens to leave Lebanon promptly while flights are available.
The advisory also warned that Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are outside the control of security agencies and may harbor individuals the Japanese Ministry refers to as “terrorists.” Entry to these areas must be strictly always avoided.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry advisory described Lebanon’s security situation as highly dangerous. It stated, “Decades of conflict have made firearms widespread, and even minor disputes can escalate into violence. Gun battles between rival groups, criminal factions, and security forces have resulted in casualties.”
The Japanese advisory claimed that the threat of terrorism is an everyday reality for those in Lebanon.
Although there were no terrorist attacks by “international Islamic extremist groups” or their supporters in 2025, the advisory noted that armed forces and security agencies regularly announce arrests of suspected terrorists, underscoring the need for constant vigilance.
The Ministry confirmed that no Japanese citizens have been victims of terrorism or kidnapping in Lebanon to date. “However, kidnappings for ransom targeting wealthy Lebanese and Syrian residents have occurred in several areas.”
AloJapan.com