S/ Ishiba Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan: We are watching the situation in South Korea with grave and particular concern. We will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals living in the country.  

The Japanese government responded to the situation on December 4 by sending e-mails to Japanese residents in South Korea to inform and alert them of the situation. 

Prime Minister Ishiba clarified that as of the morning of December 4, no Japanese nationals have been reported injured. 

Some are concerned about the impact on diplomacy. Prime Minister Ishiba is considering a visit to South Korea next month to meet with President Yoon Suk-Yeol  

Some in the Japanese government have said that the visit has become difficult. 

"If President Yoon is not going to stay, there is no point in going.” sources said. 

With the arrival of the Trump administration in the United States, the future of Japan-U.S. relations is uncertain.  

"The government wants to avoid another element of uncertainty," a Foreign Ministry official said, lamenting that it would be painful to lose the strong Japan-South Korea relationship at this time