India asks its nationals to avoid travelling to Japan

NEW DELHI: A week after Japan was hit by a devastating tsunami triggered by a massive quake, India today asked its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to that country.

Air India has also introduced daily flights with enhanced seat capacity to Japan, to assist those who wish to travel back.

Ministry of External Affairs and its mission in Tokyo are continuously monitoring the situation in Japan and are in regular touch with representatives of the Indian community all across the country and the Japanese authorities.

"All Indian nationals are reported to be safe and have been advised to take precautions suggested by the Japanese authorities from time to time.... For the time being, non- essential travel to Japan may also be avoided," MEA said in a release.

Japan was hit by a massive earthquake on March 11 causing giant tsunami waves and is currently struggling to avert a meltdown at a nuclear installation.