Japan is considering evacuating its nationals in Ukraine amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion, Japanese government sources said Monday after an order was given by the United States to family members of its embassy staff.
The government has raised its travel alert to its second-highest Level 3 for Ukraine, urging its nationals not to make any trips to the country.
The alert covers all of Ukraine. Crimea and two eastern regions bordering Russia were on Level 3, while the rest of Ukraine was on Level 1, which calls for precautions.
The Foreign Ministry said about 250 Japanese citizens, including family of embassy staff, live in Ukraine.
"We d like Japanese expatriates to leave the country while commercial flights are still available," a ministry official said.
A senior ministry official said in reference to the U.S. order issued Sunday that Japan is moving in that direction, while underscoring that the situation is changing rapidly in the eastern European country.
The government has reminded Japanese residents in Ukraine to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.
The top government spokesman said at a news conference that they will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures promptly while working closely with the United States and other related countries.
There have been tensions over a military buildup by Russia with an estimated 100,000 soldiers along its border with Ukraine, with no progress seen in talks between Western nations and Moscow on European security issues.