Overview
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Welcome to the June newsletter!
Upcoming Holidays and ACS Office Closures The Embassy and Consulates will be closed for the following holidays:
A full list of all of our holiday closings is online here. American citizens who require emergency assistance during holidays should contact the office serving their part of Japan. If you do come to see us at the Embassy in Tokyo, note that we have two lines to enter the building; a (usually) longer line for visa applicants and a much shorter line for customers coming for American Citizen Services help. Check the signs by the Embassy entrance, which will direct you to the appropriate line. We use a computerized customer ticketing system; upon entering the Consular section, you can select the type of service you require (e.g. Passport, Notary, etc.) and wait in the ACS Waiting Room for your number to be called.
Security Situation In light of recent events and the upcoming G8 summit, the U.S. Embassy asks all Americans in Japan to review their personal security practices and to report any unusual activities to local authorities. The Government of Japan maintains heightened security measures at key facilities and ports of entry as counter-terrorism precautions linked to the increased tensions in the Middle East. The January 17, 2008 Worldwide Caution Public Announcement we distributed via this channel remains in effect. Please view the full text online here. You can always read the most current information online here. Since our previous ACS Newsletter for May 2008, the U.S. Department of State has issued six new Travel Warnings for Somalia, Lebanon, Nepal, Burma (Myanmar), Chad and Haiti; and three new Travel Alerts for South Africa, China and Zimbabwe. Please review them online here. The most up-to-date information regarding permitted and prohibited items on flights can be viewed online here. For additional information, please visit "Americans Traveling Abroad" on the U.S. Department of State website. To obtain up-to-date information on security conditions, call 1-888-407-4747 (toll free in the United States), or 1-202-501-4444 if you are in Canada or outside the United States.
Heightened Security Measures for the G-8 Meetings in Japan During upcoming months, the Japanese Government will host the several Group of 8 (G-8) Cabinet-level meetings throughout Japan, followed by a Head of State meeting in Hokkaido. Visitors may face heightened security measures in the following locations and find some closed and/or limited transportation services before and during the following meetings:
Important Information Regarding Earthquakes in Japan The 6.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 7, 2008, was a clear reminder that Japan is the most seismically-active country in the world. The Tokyo metropolitan area experiences regular tremors of varying intensities and the probability that a severe and damaging earthquake will occur is high. The consequences of such a quake will vary greatly depending upon the time of day and year that the quake occurs, and no one can predict with any certainty what conditions will be like immediately following an a strong quake. It is prudent that everyone be prepared to take care of themselves in the immediate aftermath of a big earthquake. Every household and company should develop its own emergency plan to ensure that family members and personnel are familiar with earthquake emergency procedures and precautions for their safety. Companies and organizations should coordinate carefully with their ward or city office to ensure that they are familiar with Japanese government plans for their area. Please read the information on this page for checklists and information regarding how to best prepare. We also recommend that Americans in Japan review the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s "Earthquake Survival Manual" in the English language. It contains valuable information such as disaster-related terms in the Japanese language, as well as kanji characters and the romaji pronunciation with English translation. The "Earthquake Survival Manual" also contains instructions for using the NTT Disaster Message Exchange 171, which is an emergency voice mail center to be used by people in the affected area. For easier reading, we suggest you download the PDF file, and print it out to have a hard copy available during a major earthquake; it is available online here. For more information about earthquakes, please see this website.
The "Global Entry" Pilot Program – Expedited Entry into the U.S. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began processing applications on May 12, 2008, for the Global Entry pilot program, which is designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent international travelers entering the United States. Global Entry will be available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, provided they have not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulations. Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify the passenger’s identity and confirm his or her status as a Global Entry participant. The program will kick off on June 10, 2008, at three initial airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York; George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston; and Washington Dulles International Airport. Applications for enrollment in the Global Entry program are available through the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES) at this online site. The Global Entry application process consists of three steps:
Upon returning from international travel, Global Entry-enrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosk. At the kiosk, the Global Entry traveler will activate the system by inserting his or her passport or U.S. permanent resident card into the document reader. The kiosk will direct the traveler to electronically provide his or her fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprint biometrics on file. A digital photograph will also be taken of the traveler as part of the transaction record. Finally, the traveler will be prompted to answer several CBP declaration questions posted on the kiosk's touch-screen. Once the process is successfully completed, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt which must be presented to the CBP officer as the participant leaves the CBP inspection area.
Election Basics – Are you Registered to Vote Absentee? The Federal Post Card Application Form (FPCA; SF-76) is the first step of the absentee voting process. This form is accepted by all states and territories as a simultaneous request for registration and/or an absentee ballot. The current version of the form is dated October 2005; however, the 1995 version of the form is still in circulation and remains a valid registration and absentee ballot request form. U.S. Citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) are eligible to participate in all elections for Federal offices in their state of legal residence. Many of these citizens are also eligible to vote in state and local elections as well. Because election laws vary from state to state, we recommend you consult the 2008-2009 Voting Assistance Guide for specific information regarding your state's laws. The Voting Assistance Guide contains state-by-state procedures for UOCAVA citizens to register and/or request an absentee ballot using the FPCA. All shaded areas for your state or territory as indicated in the Voting Assistance Guide must be completed. The Guide is available online here. Please be aware that American citizens may mail all voting materials through the APO/FPO or diplomatic pouch; however, Japanese international mail is often much faster. Those wishing to send materials via diplomatic pouch should drop them off in the American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. Voters using the online FPCA or FWAB, and those who are returning a ballot via U.S. postal channels (including APO/FPO or diplomatic pouch), may print out the attached prepaid mailing label and tape it to the outside of the envelope in order to take advantage of free postage.
A Reminder to Register: Computer-Based U.S. Foreign Service Officer Test Would you like to help create a more secure and prosperous world by formulating, representing and implementing U.S. foreign policy? Start by taking the U.S. Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), the first step toward a career in American diplomacy. The next FSOT will be offered this July in Japan. Please be aware that the deadline for candidates intending to test overseas to submit a completed Registration Package is July 3, 2008, 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Central Daylight Time). The selection process begins by registering online for the FSOT. The U.S. Department of State revised the selection process last year to take into account examinees’ relevant life experience. This change is intended to help the U.S. State Department identify, and more quickly hire, the most qualified candidates. This test was last offered at select overseas locations in March 2008. In Japan, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates will offer the FSOT according to the following schedule for July 2008:
Please click here to register.
Typhoon Season: Be Prepared and Take Precautions The typhoon season in Japan runs from May through October, with most activity from July to September. Typhoons are tropical cyclones or giant hurricane-like whirlwinds. These storms, accompanied by heavy rainfall, can cover areas of up to 500 miles in diameter and generate winds up to 180 miles an hour. Typhoons that hit Japan are often accompanied by damaging high tides. Persons living in areas close to the ocean are especially at risk. Landslides are also a serious concern during periods of heavy rain. Conditions for a landslide are particularly dangerous after rain has fallen at a rate of 20 mm or more an hour or when 100 mm of rain falls nonstop. Take Precautions. Secure or move inside outdoor items such as toys, grills, bicycles, furniture, plants and anything moveable on the balcony. Move potted plants and other heavy objects away from windows inside as well. Set your freezer to the coldest temperature setting to minimize spoilage if the power is cut off. Watch for leaks around windows and doors. If the wind is strong enough, water may be blown into your home even if the windows are closed. Have handy towels, rags and mops. If the storm becomes severe, move into a hallway or area where there is the least exposure to external glass windows. Draw curtains across the windows to prevent against flying glass should windows crack. If a window breaks, place a mattress or sofa seat over the broken pane and secure it there with a heavy piece of furniture. A window on the side of the house away from the approaching storm should be cracked a few inches. This will compensate for the differences of indoor and outdoor air pressure. Remember that typhoons have "eye" areas in their center where the weather may appear calm. If the "eye" passes over your area, weather conditions may appear that the storm has finished; however, it is possible that winds may again pick up as the remainder of the storm arrives. After the storm is over, check for broken glass, fallen trees and downed power lines which may present safety hazards near children's school bus stops, outdoor trash areas, around your car, etc. For more information on typhoons, including English language sources of information on typhoon conditions, please visit this link.
U.S. "Students Abroad" Website The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs recently launched a public affairs campaign called "Students Abroad" that targets United States citizen college students and young people studying and traveling internationally. This campaign promotes safe, smart travel overseas to college students and spring-breakers. The campaign centers on a new website, http://studentsabroad.state.gov, which offers U.S. college students a one-stop reference for international travel. This website also offers flyers called "Go Guides" that students and universities can download, as well as a travel wallet card. The campaign's slogan "Go From Here" signals that U.S. "Students Abroad" should be the first stop on every American student's trip overseas.
World Refugee Day on June 20, 2008 - Tokyo’s Refugee Film Festival In celebration of World Refugee Day on June 20, 2008, UNHCR and Japan for UNHCR proudly present the 3rd Annual Tokyo Refugee Film Festival. The Tokyo Refugee Film Festival is becoming a vital component of UNHCR's year round action plan to raise awareness of the plight and triumphs of the world's 33 million refugees and internally-displaced persons. A select array of films from across the globe gives voice to seldom-heard stories of hope, despair and resilience.
E-mails Claiming to be from the IRS are Bogus Please be aware that the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through email. Moreover, the IRS does not request detailed personal information through email, or ask taxpayers for any sensitive information such as personal identification numbers, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards or bank accounts. Anyone receiving unsolicited email communication claiming to be from the IRS, please forward the original message to: phishing@irs.gov and then follow the instructions given on this website. There are reports of scammers contacting people via email that claim to require detailed personal information in order to receive the economic stimulus payment. Please note that the economic stimulus payments are automatic for eligible taxpayers who filed a 2007 tax return; taxpayers do not need to take any additional action to receive the payment. For more detailed information and FAQs, please see this website.
Avian Flu – Update for Japan On April 21, 2008, the H5N1 strain of avian influenza was detected in three dead and one dying migratory swans near Lake Towada in Akita Prefecture. Authorities later found two additional infected dead swans in northeastern Hokkaido Prefecture, one on the Notsuke Peninsula and the other at Lake Saroma. Two more infected swans that were discovered in April and May on the opposite side of Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture also tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. Following the standard procedures outlined in Japan's animal infectious diseases prevention law, health officials in Akita, Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido Prefectures conducted on-site inspections and disinfected nearby poultry farms after discovery of the dead waterfowl. In all locations, however, authorities did not identify any cases of infected poultry. Furthermore, there have not been any reports of human infection. Please note that there is no human health risk at this time. For detailed information and FAQs regarding avian influenza in general, please see this website.
Ask the Consul: What can the U.S. Embassy do for Americans Arrested Overseas? Someone recently inquired about what exactly the Embassy can do for American Citizens who are arrested outside of the United States. One of the most essential tasks of the U.S. Department of State and of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws, and U.S. officials are limited as to how they can assist you. If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Under international agreements, the U.S. Government has a right to provide consular assistance to you upon your request. If your request to speak to your consul is turned down, keep asking — politely, but persistently. The U.S. State Department is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for American citizens imprisoned overseas. U.S. Consular Officers abroad provide a wide variety of services to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. Specific services vary depending on local laws and regulations, the level of local services available in the country in question, and the circumstances of the individual prisoner. The frequency of U.S. consular visits to citizens arrested abroad may likewise vary, depending upon circumstances. For more information on how U.S. consuls assist American arrestees abroad, see this website.
Leaving Japan? If you are departing from Japan after a long stay here, and you formally registered your stay with the Embassy or closest U.S. consulate, please be sure to "cancel" your registration when you leave. You can deregister yourself by visiting the travelregistration.state.gov site. You may also want to consider unsubscribing from the newsletter mailing list. Please see the instructions on how to accomplish this below.
Unsubscribing We make every attempt to include in our newsletter information of real value. We know that should world events dictate, we can use this email channel to get important information to you, as we did in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. That said, if you are leaving Japan or otherwise wish to unsubscribe from this list you can unsubscribe by writing from the same email address you used to subscribe, and send a blank email to:
leave-tokyoacs@mh.databack.comIf you need to receive these newsletters at a different email address, unsubscribe first, using the old address, and subscribe again from the new address.
Contact us:
American Embassy in Tokyo The Embassy helps Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.
American Consulate General Sapporo The Consulate in Sapporo helps Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi. As there are times when both officers are away from the office, we ask that you make an appointment before coming to the Consulate General.
American Consulate Nagoya Consulate Nagoya provides emergency consular services including death and arrest cases for Americans living in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures. Please call Nagoya or Osaka for confirmation before traveling to Nagoya if you believe you have an emergency situation. Routine American Citizen services are provided by appointment only. If an appointment is not available, American residents may also receive service at the Consulate in Osaka.
American Consulate General Osaka-Kobe The Consulate in Osaka helps Americans in Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama.
American Consulate Fukuoka The Consulate in Fukuoka helps Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi.
American Consulate General Naha The Consulate in Naha helps Americans in Okinawa and the Amami Oshima Island group (which is the southern island group of Kagoshima Prefecture). Travel, safety and security information is also available directly from the Department of State.
Inclusion of Non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents. This subscription list is maintained by a private company and the U.S. Government cannot guarantee the privacy of any e-mail address.
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