KOTA KINABALU: Japan has revised the travel advisory for its citizens who wish to visit Sabah's east coast but has maintained its ban on islands in the area.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the Japanese government's decision was a positive development for Sabah.
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She said it is only a partial lifting of the restriction on Japanese nationals, who may now visit mainland Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu, but are still not allowed to travel to the islands off Semporna.
"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.
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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.
