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UK charter flights for British nationals wishing to leave Japan

17th March 2011 For the latest update please visit the FCO website.

17 March 2011

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all non-essential travel to Tokyo and the North East of Japan. British nationals in these areas should consider leaving.

Due to the evolving situation at the Fukushima nuclear facility and potential disruptions to the supply of goods, transport, communications, power and other infrastructure, British nationals currently in Tokyo and to the north of Tokyo should consider leaving the area.

We continue to advise against all non essential travel to Tokyo and north eastern Japan given the damage caused by the 11 March earthquake and resulting aftershocks and tsunami.

Please keep checking our travel advice for latest updates on transport, information on travel documents and consular help.

UK charter flights

The UK government is chartering flights from Tokyo to Hong Kong to supplement commercially available options for those wishing to leave Japan.

The first option for leaving Japan should remain commercial routes. Commercial flights continue to operate to and from Japan. British nationals with commercial flight bookings should continue to use these flights and you should continue to make reservation and other arrangements with your airline as usual.

Sf you wish to leave and cannot secure tickets for a commercial flight, you can register your interest in using our charter option to leave Japan by calling +44 20 7008 6900. We will take your details and contact you as soon as possible to confirm places on the flight and details of departure (we may call at inconvenient times).

For those British nationals and their immediate families directly affected by the tsunami there will be no charge. FCO staff will be available in Hong Kong to help you with onward bookings.

For British nationals and their immediate families who were not directly affected by the tsunami, and who want to make use of this option, there will be a charge of £600 per person, in line with commercial flight option.
British Embassy coaches from Sendai to Tokyo on 18 March.
On Friday 18 March, the British Embassy will be operating two coaches from Sendai to Tokyo. There will be no charge for this service.

What to do if you need this assistance

If you wish to travel on this bus, please register by contacting our consular team at the British Embassy in Tokyo on (+81) 35 211 1356 if calling from the UK, or 035 211 1356 if calling within Japan. Relatives or friends may also register you on your behalf. If you have difficulties contacting the consular team, please call our emergency hotline in London on 020 7008 0000 or email japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk.

Practical details

The coach will depart from the UK’s Consular Response Centre in Sendai at the ANA Holiday Inn, 1-4-1 Shintera Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, 984-0051 Japan at 12:00 (midday) on 18 March. Those travelling should bring identification that allows Embassy staff to confirm their names and nationality. We must limit baggage to one piece of luggage per person. Further details will be provided by our consular team.

How to contact us

FCO helpline: 020 7008 0000 (from UK) or +44 20 7008 0000 (from Japan)
Email address: japan.earthquake@fco.gov.uk
Contact us by text on Skype: fcojapan
On twitter by following @fcotravel
On Foreign Office travel on facebook

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