Countries issue travel warnings after Japan earthquake

Following are travel warnings released by select countries following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan (Reuters/CNN/Los Angeles Times/Daily Mail/Sky News/Arirang News, 14-Mar-2011):

• Australia: Australians have been advised not to travel to Miyagi prefecture due to the ongoing relief and recovery operation and severe damage caused to key infrastructure. Australians in Miyagi Prefecture should leave if they have no reason to remain;
• Canada: Canada warned its citizens to avoid all travel within 20km of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, and to avoid non-essential travel to areas of northern Japan that were near the quake and hit by the subsequent tsunamis. Canadians were also warned to "exercise high degree of caution" in travelling to the Tokyo region because of damage suffered by its transport, power and telecommunication systems. The warning note said there will be rolling blackouts in the Tokyo area starting March 14;
• Croatia: Croatia recommended citizens postpone any journeys to Japan. It advised citizens currently in Japan not to travel to areas affected by the disaster and to remain in contact with the embassy in Tokyo for further notice;
• France: France recommended its citizens leave the Tokyo region, citing the risk of further earthquakes and uncertainty over damaged nuclear plants. A statement on the website of the French embassy noted that Japan's meteorological office reported a 70% chance of a strong fresh aftershock in the north of the Kanto (Tokyo) region in the next three days. "We strongly advise our nationals not to travel to Japan and we strongly recommend delaying any journey planned," the embassy website said.
• Germany: Germany's foreign minister advised Germans to consider if their travel to the Yokohama/Tokyo region is necessary. "Given the current situation, the foreign ministry warns against staying in the crisis region and advises all Germans near nuclear plants or in the greater Tokyo/Yokohama area to consider whether staying in Japan is necessary," the foreign ministry said;
• New Zealand: Warned there is a high risk to safety in Japan and advised against all tourist and non-essential travel to affected areas until the situation becomes clearer. The government advised against all tourist and non-essential travel to Tokyo and surrounding earthquake-affected districts due to the risk of disruptions to essential services such as transport and electric power;
• Slovakia: Slovakia has recommended not to travel to affected regions in Japan and delay planned trips to other regions, including Tokyo;
• Slovenia: Slovenia has warned its nationals not to travel to Japan unless necessary. "We advise against any non-urgent travels to the troubled areas of Japan. To those Slovenian citizens that cannot postpone their travel to Japan, we advise extreme caution and additional checking of conditions in areas to which they are traveling," the foreign ministry said on its website;
• South Korea: The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued a travel advisory for Japan. It advised against travel to the Fukushima area and other areas north of Tokyo;
• UK: Britain's Foreign Office advised (14-Mar-2011) against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and the northeast of Japan. "Our advice is people should take their lead from the Japanese authorities. The Foreign Office travel advice is not to go to that part of Japan in any case unless you have an extremely compelling reason for doing so," Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said;
• US: US State Department urged US citizens to avoid tourism and non-essential travel to Japan and also requests all non-essential official US government personnel defer travel to Japan.