Members of a conservative civic group attends an anti-Japan protest in Seoul, South Korea, August 13, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

TOKYO (Reuters) - 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.

The ministry has issued similar travel advisories earlier this month ahead of protests expected near Japan’s embassy or consulate in South Korea.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since a ruling by South Korea’s Supreme Court last year that Japanese companies should compensate South Koreans who were conscripted as forced labourers during World War Two.

Japan hit back at South Korea on Tuesday for removing Tokyo’s fast-track trade status, with the industry minister saying Seoul had failed to explain its reason for the latest move in an escalating trade row.

Seoul’s action was a response to Japan’s announcement this month that it was dropping South Korea from its own “white list” of countries that have enjoyed minimum trade restrictions, citing an erosion of trust.