Subject: American Community Update - May 2005 Welcome to the May newsletter! Here are the topics for this month: -- Upcoming Holidays and Sapporo Temporary Closure -- Security Situation -- Assault on American in Roppongi -- Thefts at Narita Airport -- Travel to China -- Registration Procedure at Lodging Facilities in Japan Change -- Travel in Southern Thailand -- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative -- Importing Dogs and Cats into Japan -- TELL Runathon in Tokyo -- Avian Flu Fact Sheet -- Unsubscribing --------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Holidays and Sapporo Temporary Closure --------------------------------------------------------- The Embassy and our Consulates will be closed for the following holidays: Greenery Day April 29 (Friday) Constitution Day May 3 (Tuesday) Declared Official Holiday May 4 (Wednesday) Children's Day May 5 (Thursday) U.S. Memorial Day May 30 (Monday) Our Consulate in Sapporo will be closed for business throughout Golden Week (in addition to the dates above) for asbestos abatement of its foyer. Work due to possible hazmat contamination during the removal of all tiles from the entry lobby necessitates closing the Consulate General for business April 29 - May 8. American Citizens in Sapporo who require emergency assistance should contact the Embassy in Tokyo at 03-3224-5000. Please remember that the days just before and just after a holiday are usually exceptionally busy and you can expect significantly longer waiting times. Visit us outside of these times and you should have a shorter wait. A full list of all of our holiday closings is online at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-holidays.html. American Citizens who require emergency assistance during holidays should contact the office serving their part of Japan at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7123.html 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. --------------------------------------------------------- Security Situation --------------------------------------------------------- The security situation in Japan remains the same with no new credible threat information; however the Government of Japan has taken heightened security measures at key facilities and ports of entry, as counter terrorism precautions linked to the increased role taken with the deployment of Japanese self defense forces to Iraq. The March 9, 2005 Worldwide Caution Public Announcement we distributed via this channel remains in effect (you can always read the most current information at http://travel.state.gov). --------------------------------------------------------- Assault on American in Roppongi --------------------------------------------------------- Two American Citizens reported that they were assaulted and robbed in an elevator in Roppongi in mid-April. Their assailants were believed to be non-Japanese, and the attack left one American in need of stitches and additional medical care. Several Americans also reported in separate incidents that their purses, wallets and/or U.S. passports were stolen from them in bars in Roppongi. Americans are once again advised to exercise caution should they chose to visit the Roppongi area. --------------------------------------------------------- Thefts at Narita Airport --------------------------------------------------------- We have been contacted by several Americans who have had their bags and/or US passports stolen from them either at Narita Airport or on the trains running into Tokyo from Narita Airport. We received five reports of stolen US passports at Narita last week alone. Several Americans reported that their possessions were taken while they made phone calls near the entrance of Terminal 2. No violence was reported; in all instances, the thieves either distracted the person and snatched the items or stole them without the person initially even noticing. This pattern is apparently not limited to Americans; the Narita Airport Authority has posted a notice on its web site stating "There has been a spate of incidents involving the theft of unattended suitcases, bags and valuables in the arrivals and departures lobbies of Terminals 1 and 2. Many incidents have been reported in the arrivals lobbies in particular. Airport users should be particularly careful with cash, digital cameras and wristwatches." (see http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/news/tounan.html). We contacted the Japanese police at Narita Airport, who stated they were unaware of any spike in thefts. --------------------------------------------------------- Travel to China --------------------------------------------------------- Americans planning to travel to China should consult http://travel.state.gov for the Department of State's latest information. The Consular Information Sheet for China is also available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html. You may also wish to consult the American Embassy in Beijing's web page at http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/ for public announcements concerning demonstrations. Americans are also reminded that visas are needed for travel to China (but not Hong Kong only). See http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7108b.html#chinavisa for more information, or contact the Chinese Embassy at 03-3403-0924/ 0995, or visit their web site at http://lsb.china.jp/eng/index.htm. --------------------------------------------------------- Registration Procedure at Lodging Facilities in Japan Change --------------------------------------------------------- The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that "as of April 1, 2005, foreigners in Japan will be required to do the following when they check in at lodging facilities such as hotels and inns in Japan for the purpose of effective prevention of infectious diseases and terrorism: "To fill in their 'Nationality' and 'Passport Number' in addition to 'Name', 'Address' and 'Occupation', which are already required, to the guest registration form. "To present their passports to be photocopied (The proprietors of lodging facilities will be obligated to keep the photocopies)." After we sought clarification, according to the Environmental Health Division, Health Service Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the new registration procedure at lodging facilities does not apply to foreigners who are residents of Japan but only to tourists and temporary visitors. If you write a Japanese address on the check-in sheet, hotels are not supposed to ask for your passport. If your passport information is recorded, the Government of Japan has requested hotels to retain the record for three years, though the law itself does not mention how long records should be retained. The authority to decide the period of retention actually resides with the local government. So, some local governments might enact an ordinance to set a specific retention period. If not, the period is three years as advised by the central government. See http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/033005b.htm --------------------------------------------------------- Travel in Southern Thailand --------------------------------------------------------- On April 5, the Department of State issued a public announcement about travel to Thailand. That announcement read in part: "In response to the escalating violence in Thailand's southern region, the Department of State urges Americans to defer non-emergency travel to the far south of Thailand, including Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun, and Songkhla provinces, including the town of Hat Yai. American citizens who must travel to these areas are urged to exercise special caution." See http://travel.state.gov for the full announcement and other information. --------------------------------------------------- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative --------------------------------------------------- For many years U.S. citizens, and some citizens of other countries in the Western Hemisphere including Canada, have not been required to present a passport to enter the U.S. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship document when entering the United States. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The Travel initiative will affect all United States citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. It will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States, namely most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda and Mexican citizens. This initiative will be rolled out in phases. The proposed timeline is: --December 31, 2005 - Requirement applied to all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico), Bermuda, Central and South America. --December 31, 2006 - Requirement extended to all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada. --December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all air, sea and land border crossings. For more information, visit the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs website http://travel.state.gov. --------------------------------------------------- Importing Dogs and Cats into Japan --------------------------------------------------- The Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) has radically revised its procedures for importing pets. These rules apply specifically to dogs and cats. Other rules apply for more exotic pets. The key thing to note is that for most people the process will take at least seven (7) months from the date of the first rabies vaccination, so advance planning is critical. We are told there are no exceptions and that animals which have not met all requirements described below will have to be quarantined upon arrival until all are met. The full procedure is outlined at the AQS website at http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/ryoko/ba.htm. Navigation can be a bit tricky. After finding the website, do the following: -- On the homepage, click on "Home" on the top menu. -- Click on "Bring Animals to Japan." -- Click on "Dog" or "Cat." -- Click on "New quarantine system for dogs and cats." To summarize the main points: At least 210 days before arrival... Animal must have (or obtain) microchip identification. This must be done before the rabies vaccinations. The only microchips that can be read at Japan AQS facilities are ISO 11784 and 11785 Standards. For any other chips, you must bring your own microchip reader. 210 days... After receipt of microchip, the animal receives the first of two rabies vaccinations. These must be "inactivated rabies vaccinations." Be sure to obtain certification of the period of validity for the particular vaccinations that you obtain (some are good for two years, others for only one). Pet must be at least 90 days old at time of first vaccination. 180 days... Animal receives second vaccination (at least 30 days after first vaccination). 180 days... Anytime after the 2nd vaccination (ideally within 1-2 days), animal must receive a Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization (FAVN) Blood Test to ensure that the rabies vaccinations have provided adequate rabies antibody levels and must be approved by a facility approved by the Government of Japan. Approved sites are listed at the AQS website (currently there are only two in the U.S.). 40 to 90 days... As early as 90 days before arrival or as late as 40 days before, you must fax a formal notification to AQS on a specific form. The notification form and all other recommended certificates can be found at: http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/ryoko/newquarantine-eng/systemqa/application.htm#tebiki. AQS will send an acknowledgement upon receipt of the form. 2 to 10 days... Obtain a health certificate for the animal verifying that it is free of rabies and, in the case of dogs, leptospirosis. The certificate must be approved by the national government in the country of export (USDA's APHIS if coming from the U.S.). On arrival... Be prepared to present completed forms A and C from the AQS site, Acknowledgement of Advance Notification, and completed Import Quarantine Application. Animals that arrive with all documents in order, including readable microchip, should be cleared at the airport in under two hours (the website says "within 12 hours" but we are told that it can often be done while you wait) and taken home immediately. Animals that arrive without the appropriate health certificate, without advance notice, without a readable microchip ID, or without the proper blood test and 180 day waiting period will be subject to quarantine upon arrival in Japan. The quarantine period will extend as long as it takes to resolve the problem. For example, if you administer the blood test on April 1 then bring the animal to Tokyo on June 1 (60 days later), the animal would be subject to 120 days in quarantine, assuming all other requirements have been met. Kennel rates while in quarantine here run around US$30-35 per day. More information on quarantine can be found at the AQS website. Finally, there is some good news for a limited few. If you arrive before June 6, 2005, the old, less demanding procedure still applies. In addition, if your pet comes to Japan directly from a designated rabies-free country (see AQS website for details), many of the requirements, including the blood test and 180 day waiting period, are waived. However, if such an animal is transported to the U.S. before importation to Japan, there is no waiver. --------------------------------------------------- TELL Runathon in Tokyo --------------------------------------------------- On May 7, the Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) will host its 6th annual TELL Walk/Runathon around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The event has become an annual tradition with Tokyo runners and last year over 700 participants either walked or ran the 5 km or 10 km circuit. Proceeds of the event go to support TELL services for the foreign community such as the Tokyo English Life Line and the Community Counseling Service, as well as TELL workshops. Those interested should contact the TELL Business Office at (03) 3498-0261. For further information, registration forms and a course map, please see http://www.telljp.com/downloads/Runathon_2005.html --------------------------------------------------- Avian Flu Fact Sheet --------------------------------------------------- The Department of State recently re-issued this Fact Sheet to alert Americans to the occurrence of Influenza A H5N1 (avian influenza) in Asia. A number of countries have reported avian influenza, commonly referred to as "bird flu." The H5N1 strain of influenza can cause severe disease in poultry. In addition, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have reported a number of bird-to-human transmissions of the avian flu. The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact with poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest human-to-human transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department are concerned about the potential for sustained human-to-human transmission of this highly dangerous flu strain, and are working closely with other partners in an effort to address the outbreak. At this time, CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel warnings for avian flu-infected areas. However, CDC advises travelers to countries in Asia with documented H5N1 outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. CDC advises travelers to clean their hands often with soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand-rubs to help prevent disease transmission. In addition, as a precaution, all foods from poultry, including eggs, should be thoroughly cooked. CDC further advises travelers with a febrile respiratory illness returning from countries affected by H5N1 influenza virus to seek prompt medical attention. The WHO does not at present conclude that any processed poultry products (whole refrigerated or frozen carcasses and products derived from these) or eggs pose a risk to public health. A specific vaccine for humans that is effective against avian influenza has not been developed, however the CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication oseltamavir (brand name Tamiflu) may be effective against avian influenza. Tamiflu has not yet been adequately tested for this purpose, so this recommendation is based on limited data. Tamiflu may not be readily available overseas and the State Department encourages American citizens traveling or living abroad that are interested in obtaining this medication to consult with their physician (see http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7119.html for a list of doctors in Japan) Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the virus or who are concerned about the avian flu are advised to monitor the CDC and the WHO web sites, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm and http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ for the latest information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333 USA (404) 639-3311, (888) 246-2675 Spanish (888) 246-2857, TTY (866) 874-2646 Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST WHO Liaison Office in Washington, DC Telephone: (202) 331-9081, Facsimile: (202) 331-9097 1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 430, Washington, D.C. 20006 USA --------------------------------------------------- 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. 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