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

According to Japanese media, the new designations, which further apply to the West Bank, do not apply to the Israel-Lebanon border area or the Gaza Strip.

The Japanese government lowered its travel advisory level for Israel on Thursday, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, itself citing an announcement by Japan's Foreign Ministry.

The decision followed ongoing dialogue between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, the statement noted.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of the decision in terms of bilateral relations between the two countries, opening the door to more business and cooperation.

According to Japanese media reports, Israel is now considered a "Level 2" destination, meaning the Japanese government advises against unnecessary travel, down from the previous "Level 3" designation, which called for refraining from travel entirely.

Reduction in advisory level does not apply to Lebanon border, Gaza

The reports added that the new designations, which further apply to the West Bank, do not apply to the Israel-Lebanon border area or the Gaza Strip.

The decision came alongside similar changes for other Middle Eastern countries, such as Iraq and Lebanon, which had some of their areas downgraded to Level 3 from "Level 4," which, according to Japanese media, calls for evacuation, with the entirety of Iran remaining at Level 4.