Japan and South Korea Evacuating Each Other's Citizens Holds Promise

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Hostilities between the United States and Israel ー and Iran ー have impacted foreign nationals in the region. Following the recent outbreak, Japan and South Korea displayed exemplary cooperation, evacuating each other's citizens by air.

One charter flight arranged by the Japanese government carried Japanese citizens, along with more than a dozen South Koreans, to safety in Japan. Likewise, several Japanese nationals were on board a South Korean military transport evacuating South Korean citizens from Saudi Arabia.

Japan and South Korea have previously cooperated in evacuating each other's citizens. The current response was based on a 2024 memorandum of understanding between the two countries. It stipulates their cooperation to mutually protect their citizens in the event of an emergency, such as a conflict in a third country.

In this case, the arrangement was executed efficiently and should be commended as an example of effective coordination in emergency non-combatant evacuation operations, or NEOs.

The significance of this NEO goes beyond the fact that it enabled a swift evacuation amidst the rapidly increasing danger in the Middle East. It was notable in other ways as well.

Readiness and Appreciation

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi even posted about it on X. She said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the South Korean government and military." South Korean President Lee Jae-myung reciprocated with a letter of thanks to Prime Minister Takaichi, stating that he "hopes the two countries will cooperate even more closely in the future."

Perhaps this exchange of messages served to impress upon China that there is now a close relationship between Japan and South Korea. Beijing, in contrast, is pursuing an increasingly anti-Japanese stance.

*Prime Minister Takaichi and President Lee Jae-Myung visit Horyu-ji, a historic temple in Nara, on January 14. (©Prime Minister's Office.)*

Hopefully, both countries' diplomatic and defense officials will continue their efforts to assist evacuees from the Middle East. In addition, we should learn from this situation and make improvements in the cooperative arrangement as necessary. That will enable both nations to cope with even more severe situations that could arise in the future.

During the evacuation of Japanese nationals from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, the Japanese government's preparations were delayed. And although Self-Defense Forces aircraft were dispatched, they were able to transport fewer people out than other countries did.

Cooperation on Regional Emergencies

Yet Japan must be mindful that in the event of an emergency, even a slight delay can mean the difference between life and death. The Japanese and South Korean governments are therefore urged to develop their bilateral relationship to include cooperation in other emergencies. That includes evacuations in the event of a crisis on the Korean Peninsula or an emergency regarding Taiwan or Japan.

The scale of the evacuation efforts required in the event of such an emergency would dwarf what has been needed in the Middle East. Besides aircraft, warships and other vessels might also be possible evacuation transport options. It may also become necessary to rescue third-country nationals from Europe, North America, Asia, and elsewhere.

Some in South Korea are likely still instinctively opposed to Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft and ships flying the Hinomaru, Japan's national flag, or the naval ensign of Japan, the Rising Sun Flag, within their territory.

However, with such a mindset, Japan and South Korea will not be able to overcome a crisis they might jointly face. The South Korean government should explain the importance of cooperating on evacuations to its citizens. Meanwhile, Seoul should continue to deepen such cooperation with Japan.