Japan's New GPS App to Enhance Safety for Citizens Abroad
By Editor • September 2, 2026 • 1 min read
The Japanese Foreign Ministry is set to create a GPS-enabled smartphone application aimed at tracking the locations of Japanese citizens overseas. This initiative, expected to launch in fiscal 2027, comes in response to challenges faced by embassy staff in confirming the safety of nationals during crises.
Currently, embassy personnel rely heavily on phone calls to check on citizens' welfare, a method that proves ineffective in areas with limited mobile connectivity. The forthcoming app aims to overcome this limitation by functioning even in low-signal zones, allowing users to confirm their safety and receive important communications from the ministry.
In addition to safety tracking, the app will facilitate the submission of necessary documentation for long-term stays abroad and incorporate features from the existing “Tabi-Regi” service, which informs travelers about local safety issues. However, a recent survey indicated that awareness of Tabi-Regi is low, with under 20% of respondents familiar with it. To address this, ministry officials are committed to enhancing the app's visibility and user-friendliness.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
