On November 11, a charter flight organized by the Japanese government arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, carrying Japanese citizens stranded in the Middle East due to attacks in Iran. This flight also included 12 South Koreans and one foreign spouse, facilitating mutual protective measures between Japan and South Korea. Both nations signed a memorandum in 2024 to enhance cooperation and have similar agreements with Australia and Canada, allowing Japan to request assistance for the evacuation of their nationals.

The operation has been extensive, with this being the fourth chartered flight conducted by the Japanese government, successfully repatriating a total of 824 individuals, including citizens from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Japan is also scheduled to send additional flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia in the coming days, aimed at ensuring that all Japanese citizens wishing to return are accounted for. The South Korean nationals benefitted from this cooperation as both nations worked collaboratively to ensure the safety of their citizens during a turbulent time in the region.

This joint effort not only highlights the ongoing partnership between Japan and South Korea but also serves as a significant response to regional unrest. By establishing protocols for safe evacuation and citizen protection during international crises, both governments intend to improve their preparedness for future incidents. The efficiency demonstrated in this evacuation may set a precedent for future collaborations on similar issues between the two nations and beyond.