Japan lowers travel advisory level for Israel after dialogue between Sa'ar, Japanese counterpart

Japan lowered its travel advisory for Israel from Level 3 to Level 2, following dialogue between Foreign Ministers Gideon Sa'ar and Toshimitsu Motegi. The change applies to Israel and the West Bank but not to the Lebanon border or Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry highlighted the decision's importance for bilateral relations and business cooperation.

Japan lowered its travel advisory level for Israel on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from Level 3 (refrain from travel) to Level 2 (avoid unnecessary travel). The decision followed ongoing dialogue between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi. The Israeli Foreign Ministry emphasized the decision's significance for bilateral relations, stating it opens the door to more business and cooperation between the two countries. According to Japanese media reports, the new designation applies to Israel and the West Bank but does not apply to the Israel-Lebanon border area or the Gaza Strip. The change came alongside similar adjustments for other Middle Eastern countries: parts of Iraq and Lebanon were downgraded from Level 4 (evacuation) to Level 3, while Iran remained at the highest Level 4 designation.