Japan mulls pulling 90 nationals, family members out of Iran by land
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan plans to evacuate around 90 nationals and their family members from Iran by land as early as Thursday, a government source said, amid growing concerns over further escalation of the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
The Japanese nationals are expected to leave the Iranian capital by bus and travel to neighboring Azerbaijan, as airports have been closed. The government is also considering sending a Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft to its base in Djibouti, East Africa, to be put on standby.
An overland evacuation of Japanese nationals from Israel to Jordan is also being arranged, the source said Wednesday.
On Friday, Israel began striking nuclear facilities and other sites across Iran, its regional foe, which it accuses of pursuing nuclear weapons. The attack has triggered retaliatory strikes.
Tensions have further escalated following media reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering joining Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.
On Tuesday, Japan raised the travel alert for all of Iran to its highest, Level 4, advising nationals to evacuate and avoid all travel.
About 280 Japanese nationals are in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry. The evacuation will be carried out for those wishing to leave the country.
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