KOTA KINABALU (ANN/THE STAR) – Japan has updated its travel advisory for citizens planning to visit Sabah’s east coast, though restrictions on the islands in the region remain in place.
State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step forward for Sabah’s tourism sector.
She clarified that while the revised advisory permits Japanese nationals to visit mainland areas such as Tawau, Sandakan, and Lahad Datu, travel to the islands off Semporna continues to be prohibited.
“I understand that the revision was made a couple of days ago.
“The Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu has confirmed that it is not a complete lifting of the travel advisory,” Liew said in a statement on Friday (Dec 27).
The revised advisory was posted on Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Liew hoped the travel restrictions would be fully lifted soon.
During an official visit to Japan in 2019, Liew had urged the Japanese government to consider lifting the advisory.
In July this year, Liew had said the “dangerous days” of Sabah when armed groups kidnapped tourists for ransom were in the past.
“This happened 10 to 20 years ago and we are no longer there. Sabah is now safe to visit with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) in place, with security forces, locals and other government agencies working together to safeguard the state,” she said.
