Japanese banks evacuate staff from Middle East as tensions escalate

Japanese banks are relocating staff from the Middle East following US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and escalating tensions across the region. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group is withdrawing personnel from Iran and Qatar, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group has begun evacuating family members from Dubai and Riyadh. Mizuho Financial Group is reviewing contingency plans. US giant JPMorgan Chase has restricted non-essential travel in the region, while Goldman Sachs has advised working remotely for employees in Israel. Bank of Singapore has also suspended non-essential travel to and from Dubai amid mounting geopolitical risks.