On October 1, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced that Foreign Minister Motegi and the German Ambassador to Japan had signed a "Memorandum of Cooperation on the Protection of Japanese and German Nationals Abroad." It is a framework that makes it easier for Japan and Germany to work together, for example in evacuating their nationals, when unforeseen situations such as conflict or unrest occur abroad.
According to the announcement, the two countries have cooperated before in evacuating their nationals. When the situation in Cote d'Ivoire worsened in 2004, 11 Japanese nationals were evacuated to Ghana and Paris on German military aircraft, and when fighting broke out in South Sudan in 2013, 4 Japanese nationals were evacuated to Uganda.
With this memorandum, information is expected to be shared between Japan and Germany not only in emergencies but also in ordinary times, which is expected to help protect Japanese nationals in emergencies abroad.
Key points
- A memorandum for Japan and Germany to cooperate in evacuating their nationals in emergencies abroad, such as conflict or unrest
- In Cote d'Ivoire (2004) and South Sudan (2013), Japanese nationals were in fact evacuated on German aircraft
- Information will be shared not only in emergencies but also from peacetime
Why we are paying attention to this news
Not a few Japanese people work in countries and regions where the political situation can easily become unstable, such as staff of international cooperation NGOs, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and participants in study tours. When the time comes, Japanese aircraft cannot always reach the area quickly, and the cooperation of other countries can become a lifeline.
This memorandum is an effort to increase the options available in such a "what if" situation. It is also a chance for people working abroad to reconsider the importance of everyday safety measures and of registering with Japanese diplomatic missions.
Editor's comment
The accounts of the evacuations from South Sudan and Cote d'Ivoire are by no means someone else's business for NGO workers who were active there. This news shows clearly that cooperation between countries really does lead to the safety of individuals.
If you are heading overseas for activities, please also review the preparations you can make yourself, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Tabi-Regi service, registering your residence with the embassy or consulate, and checking the overseas safety information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan overseas safety website.