Tokyo issued a travel advisory to Japanese citizens visiting South Korea, ahead of crucial anniversaries this week, urging them to be cautious about safety as ties between the neighbours worsen over trade and historical issues.
South Korea commemorates girls and women forced to work in Japan's wartime brothels on August 14 and marks August 15 as a national day of liberation from Japanese rule, which ran from 1910 to 1945.
Japan's foreign ministry advised Japanese residents in
South Korea and visitors to be careful and avoid areas in which Japan-related
protests and gatherings are expected to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.