Japan raises travel alert level for Russia over Ukraine invasion

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:27 JST, March 7, 2022

The Foreign Ministry on Monday raised its danger ranking level for Russia amid the Kremlin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The government changed its four-stage danger ranking to Level 3, the point at which avoiding all travel is urged.

The ministry had already issued an evacuation advisory, which is the highest level in the ranking, for areas around the Russia-Ukraine border.

European Union member states and Russia have banned flights within their respective airspace, and flights have been suspended. Departures from Russia are restricted.

Economic sanctions against Russia have begun to affect civilian life.

The ministry has called for people to avoid travel to Russia regardless of the purpose. It has also called for Japanese residents in Russia to consider leaving the country on commercial flights. As of Sunday, about 2,400 Japanese lived in Russia.Speech