Sweden travel advisories

Caution regarding dengue fever (If you suspect you may be infected, please seek medical attention as soon as possible)

July 12, 2024, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

If you are planning to travel to or stay in tropical or subtropical regions such as Central and South America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Africa, where dengue fever is common, or if you are already staying there, please be sure to take appropriate preventive measures. In addition, if you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Sweden's security situation

July 17, 2024, 4:41 p.m.

1. In Sweden, there are more thefts and robberies than in Japan (for example, the incidence rate (per capita) in Stockholm County last year was about 8.8 times that of Tokyo). In particular, many crimes occur between August and October each year.

*Examples of Japanese victims this year: While taking a break at an airport cafe, I hung my bag on the back of the chair I was sitting on, but when I looked, it was gone.
While shopping at a convenience store in Stockholm, my passport went missing (a similar incident occurred at the airport).

There have been particularly frequent incidents of pickpockets targeting tourists at airports, hotel restaurants, Gamla Stan, museums, and other tourist spots, so please take steps to prevent theft, such as never leaving your belongings unattended (especially while eating or going to the toilet) and never putting your wallet or mobile phone in your back trouser pocket.
Moreover, in recent years, there have been frequent incidents of gun shootings and explosions resulting from gang conflicts, particularly in urban areas and suburban areas, and there have been cases in which ordinary citizens have been caught up in the incidents and lost their lives.
If you are traveling within Sweden during the summer holidays or otherwise, please be careful to avoid becoming a victim of or being involved in such incidents.

2. In addition, in Sweden, interest in Islamic extremism has increased following a number of Quran burning rallies held in the country, and since August last year, Sweden's terrorism threat level has been raised to level 4 (high) out of 5. This means that there is a high threat that activists with the intention and ability to carry out terrorist attacks will carry out such attacks. In addition, since October last year, there have been many anti-Israel and anti-Semitic demonstrations and rallies in response to the tense situation in the Middle East, and there have also been shootings at Israeli embassies.

3. In light of the above, Japanese nationals currently traveling or planning to travel to Sweden, as well as those residing in Sweden, should always be aware of their surroundings and make an effort to gather the latest security information through the media, etc., in order to avoid becoming involved in any incidents or accidents. In particular, when visiting places likely to be targets of terrorism or theft (tourist facilities and their surrounding areas, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, supermarkets, nightclubs, movie theaters, public transportation facilities with large crowds, religious facilities such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and government facilities (especially military, police, and security facilities) (*)), if you sense any suspicious situation, please make an extra effort to ensure your safety by leaving the area immediately.
(*) The Islamic extremist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), has called for targeting civilian targets and religious targets such as synagogues and churches rather than military forces.

4. In the unlikely event that you are caught up in an unforeseen incident, please refer to the following points for what to do.
(1) Basic Responses A. If you hear the sound of an explosion or gunfire, immediately get into a low position, such as lying on the ground, and take cover behind something sturdy.
Check your surroundings and, if possible, quickly evacuate to a safe place while keeping a low posture so as to get away from 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 explosions can occur multiple times, 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 suspicious situations, ensure your safety and report it to the police (dial 112).
(2) Safety Guide Please also refer to the “Safety Guide” prepared by our museum.
Safety Guide (Embassy of Japan in Sweden) [Updated February 2019]
(https://www.se.emb-japan.go.jp/nihongo/anzennotebiki.pdf)
(3) Other Before traveling or when you go out overseas, please inform your family, friends, workplace, etc. of your itinerary 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 regular information, so please register with Tabi-Regi and submit a residence notification.

If you are staying for more than three months, please be sure to submit a residence notification in case of an emergency.
(https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/)
If you are traveling or on a business trip for less than three months, please register with Tabi-Regi.
(For details, see https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/)


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 anti-bomb terrorism 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)