Japan lifts advisory on J&K

In an international testimony to the fact that security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has remarkably improved, Japan has relaxed its travel restrictions to the state. Japan is the second country among the G8 nations to take this step. Germany had relaxed travel restrictions to the state for its nationals in July 2011.

Japan's move to ease restrictions is valid for Srinagar and adjoining areas like Gulmarg. The decision was arrived at after the Japanese embassy officials met the J&K government, and also made site visits.

They had also exchanged notes with their German counterparts, who had a similar exercise last year. Germany had okayed travelling to Srinagar and now advises its citizens to travel by air.

With two of the G-8 countries easing the travel restrictions to Kashmir, many other embassies of developed countries are expected to follow suit.

Sources said Australians, Canadians, British and some more countries are also making enquiries about the situation in Kashmir. The foreign tourist arrivals in J&K have steadily increased from 52,750 tourists to about 72,000 in 2011.

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