COVID-19 risks
Oct. 19, 2022, midnight
In light of the general improvement in the global infection situation and the fact that the G7 countries have already canceled the designation of levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information was issued on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).
Aug. 24, 2022, midnight
On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).
July 25, 2022, midnight
On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern." According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.
July 1, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
May 26, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
April 1, 2022, midnight
The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.
Nov. 29, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.
Aug. 13, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
May 18, 2021, midnight
Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".
Oct. 30, 2020, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
Local and national news
Information for the past 30 days.
Lifting of infectious disease risk information for Mpox
Sept. 12, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
●The infectious disease risk information level 1 (take extreme caution) regarding Mpox issued for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic will be lifted.
●Sporadical infections are still being seen around the world, so please stay up to date on the infection situation in your destination and take measures to prevent infection.
Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates
Information from the past two weeks.
Smash-and-grab incidents near townships
Nov. 14, 2025, 11:50 p.m.
1. Overview of the case
In October, a Japanese male business traveller was driving a rental car when he was stopped at a red light on a road in the township area of Cape Town (near the intersection of the N2 and M7 near Langa) when a man who appeared to be a minor approached him, smashed the passenger side window with a block, and attempted to steal his bag which was on the passenger seat. The Japanese man quickly pulled the bag towards himself and started the car, and the man drove away, but the bag was not stolen.
2. Please take safety measures, keeping the following points in mind:
(1) Do not place luggage in a location that is visible from the outside of the passenger seat or rear seat.
(2) When stopping due to traffic lights, traffic congestion, etc., please be prepared to leave space between you and the vehicle in front of you at any time.
(3) Be sure to use a map app to avoid unintentionally entering dangerous areas such as townships.
(4) Please adjust your speed and take other measures to avoid stopping at intersections or red lights.
(5) Please also refer to the following document (Smash and Grab: Its Methods and Countermeasures).
https://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000134817.pdf
3. In addition to this incident, Cape Town has seen a number of incidents of Japanese nationals falling victim to robberies, ATM scams, and ride-hailing scams. Please refer to the links below for past safety information (including information on Japanese nationals being victimized), and use it as a reference for safety measures.
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/od/ryojiMail.html?countryCd=0027
4. If you are involved in an incident or accident, please report the incident to the police and contact the Consular Office of Japan in Cape Town with a summary of the incident.
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Even if you reply as is, I will not receive it.
Consular Office in Cape Town Telephone: (Country code 27)-(0)21-425-1695
Email: enquiries@pr.mofa.go.jp
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Traffic restrictions and other measures in connection with the G20 Summit
Nov. 11, 2025, 10:45 p.m.
[Main text]
1. The G20 Summit will be held on Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (commonly known as NASREC) in the south of Johannesburg.
In connection with the G20 Summit, large-scale traffic restrictions and road closures are expected to be implemented around the venue and surrounding areas from Monday, November 17th to Sunday, November 23rd. At this time, detailed routes and road closures have not been announced, but details of the traffic restrictions will be posted on the official website (www.g20.org) in the future.
2. Therefore, if you are planning to travel to Johannesburg city or the surrounding areas of the venue during the above period, please plan your travel with sufficient time to spare.
Please be aware that there may be police vehicles passing by to protect VIPs, traffic congestion, and checkpoints in the vicinity of the venue, so please avoid unnecessary travel as much as possible.
Please also note that traffic restrictions and road closures may change without prior notice.
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●Embassy of Japan in South Africa Website: http://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Address: 259 Baines St, Cnr Frans Oerder St, Groenkloof, Pretoria
Tel: +27 12 452 1500 Consular Affairs and Security Email: consul@pr.mofa.go.jp
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https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
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Beware of credit card theft by individuals posing as security guards
Nov. 5, 2025, 11:40 p.m.
[Main text]
1. Overview Some media reports have been published about cases of credit card theft by individuals posing as security guards at shopping malls and other locations.
The specific method involves people in uniforms posing as security guards in large shopping malls in Johannesburg and other areas demanding to see their cards, saying things like, "There's a fee to park here. If you have a credit card, you can pay at this card machine. We'd also like your PIN code." Once the victim presents their card, they snatch it away and run away.
2. Therefore, please take safety measures while keeping the following points in mind.
(1) In South Africa, there have been many cases of people being approached and scammed on the street or when using ATMs, ticket machines, etc. If you are approached by someone, do not respond and leave the area.
(2) Also, even if you see someone wearing a uniform with the word “Security” or “Police” written on it, do not trust them easily, as many of them are fake.
(3) Keep in mind that the other person may be carrying a weapon, so keep your distance. If you are attacked, prioritize your own safety and never resist.
(4) In order to be able to immediately suspend use of your credit card if it is stolen, please make a note of the contact information for your card company and keep it in a separate place from the card itself.
(5) If you are involved in an incident or accident, immediately file a police report and obtain a CAS number (a number required for insurance claims). Also, contact the Embassy of Japan in South Africa with a summary of the incident.
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●Embassy of Japan in South Africa Website: http://www.za.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Address: 259 Baines St, Cnr Frans Oerder St, Groenkloof, Pretoria
Tel: +27 12 452 1500 Consular Affairs and Security Email: consul@pr.mofa.go.jp
*If you have registered for TabiRegi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
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