As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Japan has taken decisive action to ensure the safety of its citizens in Lebanon. Following a week of intense Israeli airstrikes, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds in Lebanon, primarily in Hezbollah strongholds, the Japanese government is urging its citizens to evacuate the country immediately.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the evacuation order on Friday, stating that the Japanese government is “currently checking the safety of Japanese citizens living in Lebanon, as well as urging them to leave the country while regular commercial flights remain in operation.”
In a proactive move, Japanese media reports indicate that the government is preparing to dispatch military aircraft to Jordan, where they will be on standby to transport Japanese nationals back home. According to Kyodo News, the C-2 transport aircraft will be tasked with evacuating approximately 50 Japanese citizens currently in Lebanon.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict, stating on Wednesday that Tokyo is “strongly concerned about the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.” Japan, she emphasized, “strongly urges” all parties to “exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation.”
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has rejected a 21-day truce proposal and remains committed to its military campaign against Hezbollah militants. As the conflict continues, the Japanese government’s swift action to evacuate its citizens underscores the severity of the situation and highlights the global impact of the ongoing hostilities in the region.
