Saturday, August 3, 2024 On July 31, the Japanese Foreign Ministry urgently advised citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon, citing rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East and the deteriorating situation in Lebanon following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The Ministry’s Overseas Japanese Nationals Safety Division emphasized the urgent need for Japanese residents in Lebanon to consider leaving the country as soon as possible. The advisory strongly stressed the importance of safety preparations, urging citizens to stay informed about the latest developments from multiple sources.
The risk advisory highlighted the potential rapid deterioration of the situation, advising citizens to evacuate to a safe area promptly. It also urged citizens to double-check their belongings and emergency supplies. The Ministry recommended those staying in Lebanon submit their whereabouts and local emergency contact information to the local diplomatic mission.
This warning effectively raised the danger level of the entire country of Lebanon to level 3, advising Japanese citizens to refrain from traveling to the country. The Lebanese border area with Israel was already at level 4, which urges immediate evacuation. The Foreign Ministry warning adopted Israeli claims that the July 27 missile attack on Majdal Shams, controlled by Israel on the Golan Heights, originated from Lebanon, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Since then, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and other areas have continued. The Israeli government decided on July 28 to give its Prime Minister and Minister of Defense the authority to decide on an attack plan against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Foreign Ministry noted that Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and other areas are ongoing and that the situation is likely to become even more tense.
Some airlines have already suspended or changed their scheduled flights in response to the situation. Depending on future developments, the number of scheduled commercial flights may become very limited. The Ministry advised Japanese citizens planning to travel or stay in Lebanon to cancel their trips or consider leaving the country as soon as possible while scheduled commercial flights are still operating.
Even those staying in Lebanon due to unavoidable circumstances were urged to continue considering evacuation. The Ministry advised residents in Lebanon to refer to the emergency response manual in the safety guide available at the Japanese Embassy in Lebanon and to reconfirm their preparations, belongings, and stockpiles of supplies. When evacuating, including temporarily leaving the country, citizens were encouraged to contact the Embassy in Lebanon for support and guidance.
There are currently about 60 Japanese citizens residing in Lebanon, according to Foreign Ministry data. The Japanese Foreign Ministry’s advisory against traveling to Lebanon reflects the severity of the situation and its potential impact on travelers. The heightened tensions and ongoing conflicts in the region necessitate immediate attention and action from Japanese citizens, affecting their travel plans and safety measures.
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