Kihara: Two Japanese nationals evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan

Kihara: Two Japanese nationals evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan

Japan Evacuates Two Nationals from Iran Amid Regional Tensions

On March 4, 2026, Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the evacuation of two Japanese nationals from Iran to Azerbaijan, facilitated by the government’s Emergency Response Team. The individuals left Tehran by bus on Tuesday (Japan time) and arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, before 5 a.m. the following day. The evacuees, who reportedly face no health issues, were accompanied by ministry personnel and a medical officer from the Japanese Embassy in Turkey.

This move follows Japan’s issuance of an evacuation advisory for approximately 200 Japanese nationals in Iran, as regional tensions escalate due to U.S.-Israeli military actions and Iran’s retaliatory strikes. According to reports, the Foreign Ministry stated it will continue to assist those seeking to leave Iran, with Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi indicating preparations to deploy military personnel for further evacuations if needed. As AP reports, Tokyo reiterated its support for diplomatic dialogue between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions.

The evacuation aligns with broader efforts by Azerbaijan to facilitate the departure of foreign nationals from Iran. Since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the Astara border crossing has seen increased traffic, including expatriates from over 19 countries. While Japan’s operation focuses on its citizens, the regional instability has prompted similar actions by other nations, including the evacuation of Turkish, Tajik, Russian, and Chinese nationals via the same route.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized Japan’s stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating, “Iran must halt its development of nuclear weapons and other actions that destabilize the region.” Tokyo reiterated its support for diplomatic dialogue between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions.

For investors, the ongoing conflict underscores geopolitical risks to Middle Eastern trade routes and energy markets, particularly amid heightened volatility in the Strait of Hormuz. Japan’s proactive evacuation measures reflect its prioritization of citizen safety while balancing diplomatic and economic considerations in the region.

Source: NHK, Jiji Press, Euronews, AP, Caliber.Az