Japan Mulls Easing Travel Advisory for Iran

Tokyo, July 5 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Foreign Ministry is considering the possibility of easing its evacuation advisory for Iran and three other Middle Eastern countries in response to a deal between the United States and Iran to end their fighting. The plan has emerged as other countries are moving to resume business activities in the Middle East and Japanese companies operating in the region are calling for a lowering of the travel advisory. With uncertainty over U.S.-Iran negotiations growing since the signing last month of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, the ministry plans to make a cautious decision while closely monitoring the progress of U.S.-Iran talks. Referring to the evacuation advisory for Iran and other countries, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at a press conference Friday, “We will make appropriate decisions by assessing the implementation status of the memorandum of understanding and other developments.” The ministry’s four-tier travel advisory system ranges from the highest Level 4, which urges Japanese nationals to evacuate, to Level 1, which calls for exercising caution. In response to the deteriorating situation, the ministry has gradually strengthened its travel advisory for Middle Eastern countries. Since January, it has issued the Level 4 advisory to four countries in stages–Iran, Lebanon and some areas in Israel as well as Iraq. On June 25, following the signing of the memorandum, the ministry eased the travel advisory for seven neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, from Level 3, calling on Japanese nationals to avoid all travel, to Level 2, which urges people to avoid non-essential and non-urgent travel. However, the fate of the U.S.-Iran talks has become increasingly uncertain. “The optimistic atmosphere immediately after the signing has disappeared,” a senior ministry official said. “It depends on the talks between the United States and Iran,” the official said, adding, “While speed is required, we must not act hastily.” Meanwhile, the ministry on Wednesday updated the design of its travel advisory map on its website, making the risk levels easier to distinguish at a glance. Ahead of the summer holidays, the ministry calls on the public to check the latest advisories before making travel plans. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]