Japan Warns Its Citizens About Potential Terror Attacks, This Is The Foreign Ministry's Explanation

Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Rs1421)

JAKARTA - The Japanese government warned its citizens on Monday against possible terror attacks in six Southeast Asian countries, urging them to stay away from religious sites.

In this regard, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directly confirmed the information to the Japanese Indonesian Embassy in Jakarta.

"It has been confirmed with the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta and explained that they did not issue the warning against Indonesia," explained Indonesian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Teuku Faizasyah to VOI, Tuesday, September 14.

Earlier, citing the Independent September 13, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had received information, 'there is an increased risk of such a suicide bombing'. This warning applies to Japanese nationals in Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Neither of these countries can be considered rivals or enemies of Japan, and relations between Tokyo and most of them are relatively stable.

Over the past few decades, Japan has led successful diplomatic campaigns to increase its influence in the Southeast Asian region, to counter China's assertive strategies through economic cooperation, alternative connectivity initiatives, and security engagements.

The warning includes instructions to Japanese citizens to follow local news closely and carefully 'for now' without further details.

When asked by the AP, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to elaborate on whether the information was shared with other countries, and refrained from disclosing its source.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the appeal has been sent to the Japanese embassy in the country concerned to be addressed to Japanese citizens.

Monday's warning became shocking and confusing news in several countries. Also, did not know about the threat or details from Japan regarding the source of the information.

The website of the Japanese Embassy in Malaysia, for example, issued a warning Monday morning. "There is information that the likelihood of suicide bombings will increase in places where large numbers of people gather, such as places of worship," the warning said.

"We call on all Japanese citizens to remain vigilant against terrorist attacks," the warning added.

The statement called on Japanese citizens to avoid visiting places that might be targeted, including "Western-owned" facilities such as restaurants and hotels.

Meanwhile, Tanee Sangrat, a spokeswoman for Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Japan did not disclose the origin of the warning, and the Japanese Embassy had no further details other than saying it was 'not specific to Thailand'.

Thai security agencies also do not have their own information about a possible threat, deputy police spokeswoman Kissana Pathanacharoen said.

Similarly, the Philippines Department of State said it was not aware of any information about the increasing threat level.