Sweden travel advisories

[Wide Area Information] Warning about illegal part-time work overseas by criminal organizations, including the Anonymous Mobile Crime Group (Tokuryu) (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator)

Dec. 16, 2025, midnight wide area information

There have been a number of cases where people have applied for illegal part-time work overseas and ended up being forced to act as "callers" for criminal organizations and participate in special fraud overseas, or where people have unintentionally become complicit in crimes by couriering illegal drugs (such as marijuana), and ended up being detained or protected by local police.

●If you feel that you have applied for an illegal part-time job overseas, do not worry or keep it to yourself, but seek help from a family member or someone close to you, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police, etc.

●If you feel that as a result of applying for an illegal part-time job overseas, you have become (or been forced to become) complicit in a crime such as specialized fraud or illegal drug smuggling, please do not hesitate to contact or consult with the local Japanese embassy or consulate general.

Warning about special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)

Dec. 16, 2025, midnight wide area information

● Special fraud, in which money is defrauded by contacting people without meeting them in person, is also occurring overseas. There have been confirmed cases in which people have impersonated Japanese government officials, such as Japanese embassy staff, Japanese consulate staff, Japanese police officers, and customs officials.

●Japanese public institutions such as the Japanese Embassy, Japanese Consulate General, police officers, and customs officials will never request remittances without following proper procedures. Please take precautions such as not easily responding to suspicious phone calls, emails, social media messages, etc. that you do not recognize.

●If you feel even slightly uneasy while outside of Japan, please consult your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General.

Alert regarding terrorism in Europe and the United States

Nov. 28, 2025, midnight wide area information

During holiday and event seasons such as Christmas and New Year, people gather and travel more, making you more likely to become a target of terrorism.
Against the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East, terrorist incidents targeting Israeli interests and Jewish people have occurred, so caution is required even during Jewish anniversaries and holidays, as well as the periods before and after them.
In recent years, terrorist attacks have been occurring in Europe and the United States, targeting places where security and surveillance are weak and where many ordinary citizens gather. In particular, areas around tourist facilities, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, public transportation, and religious facilities have become targets of terrorism.
○ Always make an effort to obtain the latest information and take sufficient precautions to ensure your safety.

Alert regarding chikungunya fever

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● Chikungunya fever, which causes symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and rash, is prevalent in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
● Chikungunya fever is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the chikungunya virus, so in the above areas please be sure to take the preventive measures described below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Zika virus infection alert (updated)

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● The number of cases of Zika virus infection, which causes symptoms such as fever and rash and can result in congenital disorders such as microcephaly in fetuses, has decreased globally since 2017, but infections continue to occur, albeit in small numbers, in Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
● Zika virus infection is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, so if you are in the above areas, please be sure to take the preventive measures listed below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Caution regarding terrorism during the Christmas and New Year period

Dec. 15, 2025, 7:30 p.m.

1. Caution against terrorism, etc. In recent years, there have been frequent incidents of terrorist attacks by lone perpetrators and attacks targeting places where many ordinary citizens gather (soft targets), and there are concerns that terrorist attacks will continue to occur in the future. In Sweden, too, the threat of terrorism continues to exist, with a man allegedly planning a suicide bomb attack at a cultural festival in Stockholm being indicted this year.
During holiday and event seasons such as Christmas and New Year, when people gather and travel more, there is a greater likelihood of these areas becoming targets of terrorism. In Stockholm, there are events such as the Christmas market in Gamla Stan and the countdown event at Skansen, so keep in mind that places where many people gather are likely to be targets of terrorism. Be aware of your surroundings and check evacuation routes when visiting or staying, and take sufficient precautions to avoid being caught up in unforeseen incidents.
Additionally, given the current situation in the Middle East, terrorist incidents targeting Israeli interests have occurred, so caution is required around the time of Jewish religious anniversaries.
For more details, please refer to the following wide-area information (warning regarding terrorism in Europe, the US, etc.) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2025C049.html
For safety information for each country, please refer to the following: Overseas Safety Website You can check information on dangers and infectious disease risks for each country.
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/riskmap/

2. Dealing with Unforeseen Events If you are caught up in an unforeseen event, please refer to the following points for how to respond.
(1) Basic Response A. If you hear an explosion or the sound of gunfire, immediately get down on the spot or take a low position and hide behind something sturdy.
Check your surroundings and, if possible, quickly evacuate to a safe place while keeping a low profile to avoid the sound of gunfire, etc. In a closed space, caution is required as rushing to the entrance or exit may result in secondary damage such as a stampede.
C) Since multiple explosions may occur, do not go to check on the situation after an explosion.
In the case of a terrorist attack using a knife or blunt object, distance yourself from the perpetrator and use objects around you to protect yourself from the attack.
If you notice any unusual or suspicious circumstances, ensure your safety and report it to the police (dial 112).
(2) Before traveling abroad or when you are out, please inform your family, friends, workplace, etc. of your travel dates and contact information at your destination in case of an emergency.
If an emergency occurs while you are traveling or residing abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide you with information as it becomes available, so please register with Tabi-Regi and submit your residence notification.

3. Beware of general crimes: Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and other general crimes tend to increase during the New Year holidays. When in crowded places, restaurants, cafes, etc., keep an eye on your passport, valuables, and other belongings, and be vigilant of your surroundings. When using bank ATMs, try to use ones with as many users as possible.

4. Opening and closing days of the Consular Office during the New Year holidays
Opening on Monday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
Closed from Wednesday, December 24, 2025 to Sunday, January 4, 2026
Opening on Monday, January 5, 2025
Closed on Tuesday, January 6, 2025

Even on closed days, in the event of an emergency such as an incident, accident, or disaster, please contact the Embassy's main telephone number (see below).

Reference material: Safety Guide (Embassy of Japan in Sweden)
(https://www.se.emb-japan.go.jp/nihongo/anzennotebiki.pdf)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website (https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/index.html)
Q&A on bomb terrorism prevention measures for Japanese people and companies expanding overseas
(https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/pamph/pamph_03.html)
Countermeasures against terrorism and kidnapping when traveling abroad (http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/pamph/pamph_10.html)
Golgo 13's Overseas Safety Measures Manual for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html)

Embassy of Japan in Sweden
TEL: +46-(0)8-5793-5300 (When closed, you will be connected to an emergency response company)
HP: http://www.se.emb-japan.go.jp/

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