Ministry for Foreign Affairs hopes that all Finns who have left Japan would report themselves

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs follows continuously the situation of Japan and the Finnish citizens still in the country after the earthquake. Up-to-date information is especially important right now. “We hope that people would report themselves to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs after they have left Japan if they have not done it yet,” Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb appealed in a press conference on 15 March. The Ministry will assist Finns still in Japan to leave the country, but evacuation is not considered necessary at the moment. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also revised its travel bulletin for Japan on Tuesday, 15 March.

In the press conference, in addition to Minister Stubb, assessments were presented by Pasi Tuominen, Director of the Unit for Consular Assistance (2nd from left), Pekka Heikkinen, Director of the Institute of Seismology, and Lasse Reiman, Director of Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Finland (2nd and 1st from right). Photo: Eero Kuosmanen

After the earthquake in Japan on 11 March, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has reached all 830 Finnish citizens living or travelling in Japan it had knowledge of.

The Ministry continuously follows and outlines the situation in Japan and of the Finnish citizens still in the country. Their estimated number is 300-400. Up-to-date information on who is still in the country is now of utmost importance for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

“We hope that all people would report themselves to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs after having left Japan,” Stubb appealed. People can report themselves by calling the number 0800 0 4444 (from abroad +358 800 0 4444), via the Facebook pages of the Finnish Embassy in Tokyo, or with the form on the Ministry’s website.

People are urged to consider leaving certain areas

Stubb said that the Ministry for Foreign Affairs had just revised its travel bulletin for Japan just before the press conference held on Tuesday afternoon. It was the fourth update after the earthquake on Friday morning.

“The meeting of the ambassadors of EU Member States in Tokyo came to the conclusion that the situation is serious, but, for the time being, under control,” Stubb said relaying the latest assessments of Jari Gustafsson, Finland’s Ambassador in Tokyo.

In its new travel bulletin, the Ministry recommends that people avoid all travel in the Tokyo-Yokohama region, and the regions of Tohoku and Kanto. Unless there is a very compelling reason to stay in these areas, the Ministry urges people to consider leaving the area or moving to the safer parts of the country in the south. In Southern Japan, the security situation is still good, but unnecessary travel even to these parts should be avoided.

How to leave the country?

Some of the Finns in Japan want to leave the country and others don't “The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will assist all people wanting help in collaboration with the Nordic countries and EU Member States," Pasi Tuominen, Director of the Unit for Consular Assistance informed.

However, evacuation was not deemed necessary just now, because commercial flights are operating normally and Southern Japan is still safe. Finnair has about twenty flights from Japan every week, and, on the flight preceding the press conference, 254 passengers arrived to Finland on a 90-per cent full plane from Japan. It is also advisable to inquire tickets from other airlines and remember the possibility to buy a stand-by ticket from the airport.

“However, we are not closing out any alternatives. We have contingency plans for various scenarios," Stubb pointed out. “Of course, the situation can change very quickly.”