Khaldon Azhari
TOKYO: The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revised its travel advisories, reducing the risk assessment for Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain from Level 3 (don’t travel there) to Level 2 (refrain from none-essential travel). This adjustment follows the execution of a memorandum of understanding on June 18 concerning the cessation of hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Concurrently, within Jordan, the risk designation for the Mafraq and Zarqa Governorates has been lowered to Level 2 (indicated by orange), aligning them with the status of all other regions within the country.
Notwithstanding these reductions, the Ministry emphasizes that the potential for unforeseen developments persists. Japanese travelers are advised to refrain from non-essential travel to these regions.
Individuals whose travel is necessary are urged to obtain the most current information from diverse sources, exercise heightened vigilance, and implement comprehensive safety protocols, according to the advisory. Japanese citizens are specifically encouraged to remain alert, avoid proximity to military installations, and abstain from photographing or filming such sites, regardless of distance. Those requiring assistance are directed to contact the Embassy of Japan in the respective jurisdiction.
Japan maintains a Level 4 advisory for several other Arab nations, classifying them as the most hazardous regions globally and advising against all travel. Citizens are urged to evacuate these countries immediately, irrespective of the purpose of their stay. These nations include Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Gaza, the West Bank, and the eastern borders of the Moroccan Sahara.
Furthermore, Japan categorizes Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and select African nations at Level 4 (indicated by the color red).
In contrast, the security situation regarding Israel remains at Level 3. Despite recent missile attacks from Iran, Israel retains this classification. This designation stands in notable contrast to the prevailing conditions on the ground, with certain sources contending that the risk level in Israel is commensurate with nations currently subject to Level 4 warnings.
Diplomatic sources suggest that Japan is intentionally withholding a Level 4 classification for Israel to mitigate potential political friction with the United States, thereby prioritizing diplomatic relations over the security of its citizens.
Every Arab nation is categorized within Levels 1 through 4, with no country remaining unassigned or designated by the color white.
AloJapan.com