Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Safety and Foreign Travel Division on Jan. 29 released an update on its website following the recent attacks on Abu Dhabi by the Houthis.

“In light of the announcement by the Government of the United Arab Emirates of missile attacks by the Houthis on January 17 and 24, it’s not ruled out that similar cases of Houthi attacks would continue in the future. We urge the Japanese residing in the UAE to pay adequate attention to ensure their safety when feeling any danger and not to approach potentially dangerous sites,” the update said.

The ministry also advised Japanese citizens to obtain local media reports and announcements issued by the authorities on the situation.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Travel and Safety Division ranks the UAE at the third level out of four in terms of safe travel. Level 3 calls for the immediate cancellation of trips, whatever the reasons, and the possibility of requesting departure or preparing for evacuation in special cases and regions worldwide. 

The classification of the UAE at this third level is not due to the recent Houthi attacks but rather in light of the spread of the coronavirus, sources said. Before the spread of coronavirus, the UAE was one of few countries not included in the warning system as it was deemed safe. 

The foreign ministry’s advice to avoid travel to a certain country of region is merely a recommendation and not obligatory for Japanese citizens. However, the recommendations are generally adhered to, especially by travel, tourism, transportation, life insurance companies and government employees planning official business trips.