American Community Update - June 2005



Welcome to the June newsletter!  Here are the topics for this month:

     --  Upcoming Holidays
     --  Security Situation
     --  Incident in Roppongi I
     --  Incident in Roppongi II
     --  Incidents at Fussa City's "Bar Row"
     --  New Deadline for Machine-Readable Passports Requirements
     --  Social Security Town Hall Meeting on Okinawa, July 19
     --  Importing Dogs and Cats into Japan
     --  Public Announcement on Travel to Burma
     --  Applying for U.S. Passports Ahead of Summer Travel
     --  Additional Passport Pages
     --  Unsubscribing


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Upcoming Holidays
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The Embassy and our Consulates will be closed for the following holidays:

     U.S. Memorial Day May 30 (Monday) 

     Independence Day  July 4 (Monday) 

     Marine Day  July 18 (Monday) 

     Labor Day  September 5 (Monday) 

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.


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Security Situation
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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). 


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Incident in Roppongi I
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The Embassy has been made aware of a case involving an American Citizen who was given  some type of drug against her will in a drink while at a popular bar ner Roppongi Crossing.  The woman awoke in a local hotel room with an unclothed Asian man who threatened her; she was able to escape from the room and seek help.  The Azabu police are investigating the incident, but no arrest has been made.  This report follows several others from Americans and other Western foreigners who have reported similar assaults when drinking in Roppongi.  We continue to advise Americans to exercise caution should they choose to go to Roppongi.

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Incident in Roppongi II
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On Sunday, May 8, at 9:00 p.m., two unidentified Asian males physically assaulted and robbed an Embassy family employee near Mikawadai Park, on Roppongi Avenue close to the Volvo Dealership.  The employee sustained minor injuries and her purse was stolen.

Even though the crime rate in Tokyo remains relatively low, the number of reported security incidents in the Roppongi district has steadily increased, and we ask that you take the same security precautions you would in any large metropolitan city including:

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Japanese Police. 

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Incidents at Fussa City's "Bar Row"
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Yokota Base Command has issued an order prohibiting servicemembers from being within a one block radius of Akasen-dori in Fussa city (near the base), otherwise known as "Bar Row", between the hours of 1 am and 6 am.  The order comes after a series of crimes, altercations and assaults at Bar Row involving base personnel, including one last weekend that left two airmen seriously wounded.  Civilians are advised to exercise caution should they choose to enter the area.

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New Deadline for Machine-Readable Passports Requirements
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On May 12, 2005 the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will begin full enforcement of machine-readable passport requirements for traveler holding Visa Waiver Program (VWP)passports on June 26, 2005.

Since October 26, 2004, U.S. law required that each VWP traveler present a machine-readable passport or obtain a nonimmigrant visa. In the interest of facilitating travel, since October 26, 2004, the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Bureau (CBP) had given officials at ports of entry the discretionary authority to grant one-time exemptions on a case-by-case basis to VWP travelers without a visa or MRP.  Exemptions will continue in effect until June 26.  However, as of June 26, VWP travelers without MRPs (or a valid visa) may be denied entry to the United States.

All VWP travelers are urged to obtain machine-readable passports (or visas) prior to travel to the United States.

An example of a machine-readable passport may be found at

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#4

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Social Security Town Hall Meeting on Okinawa, July 19
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On July 19 the Regional Social Security Director will be in Okinawa for a Town Hall meeting hosted by the American Consulate General.  Mr. Thomas Ashley, based in Manila, is providing this outreach service for all Social Security recipients on Okinawa.  He will give a presentation on Social Security and Medicare topics from 10:00 AM , followed by an interactive Question and Answer session with the audience.  Hopefully, most questions or concerns of a general nature will be addressed in either the presentation or the Q&A session, however, later in the afternoon there will be a limited amount of time for one-on-one meetings with Mr. Ashley for case-specific issues.  If you desire such a meeting, please bring your paperwork with you.

The location will be the Multi-Purpose Room on USMC Camp Foster.  Entering the base from the Legion gate, turn right at the Mess Hall intersection and then right again at the Personal Services Building (across from the Community Center.)  We encourage you to attend, and hope to see you there.


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Importing Dogs and Cats into Japan
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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.

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Public Announcement on Travel to Burma
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In light of increasing incidents of bombings, and the possibility of additional attacks in the capital of Rangoon and other locations, the Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Burma exercise extreme caution in public places and be alert to their surroundings.

On May 7, 2005, three large bombs exploded simultaneously in Rangoon, at two crowded shopping areas frequented by foreigners and at a trade center, reportedly killing at least twenty people and wounding several hundred others.  On April 26, 2005, an explosive device detonated at a busy market in Mandalay, reportedly killing at least two people.  Both events were a significant departure in terms of targeting and level of sophistication from other bombings that have occurred in recent years.  

More information is available at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2508.html 

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Applying for U.S. Passports Ahead of Summer Travel 
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Be sure to plan ahead for your summer travel needs.  Remember that processing time for U.S. passports is two to three weeks, as all printing is now done in the U.S.  While most adults can renew by mail, almost all minors must apply in person.

The rules on how to apply for a U.S. passport, as well as passport fees, have changed, requiring more people to apply in person and allowing fewer people to apply by mail.  Under the new rules, only adults who were issued a ten year passport on or after their 16th birthday may apply for a renewal passport by mail.  All others must appear in person.  

Rules for children under 14 applying for passports have also changed requiring non-appearing parents to provide a notarized consent form and photo copy of I.D.

These changes are effective worldwide and are not specific to Japan.

Full details, including downloadable application forms, are available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7130c.html

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Additional Passport Pages
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Going to China and need a whole page free for the visa?  Travel frequently?  It is possible to add extra blank pages to a full-validity U.S. passport (adult or child), all by mail, at no charge.  Processing time is about a week.

Please complete an application form (DSP-19; download it at http://travel.state.gov/DS-0019.pdf ).  Note that the online version of this form includes instructions on the back side written for use in the U.S. which do not apply to your application overseas.  This form must be completed, and signed by the passport holder him/herself, regardless of whether you seek additional pages by mail or in person.  You can print it on A4 size paper in Japan.

Be sure to sign the form, the number one reason for delays in processing.

Then, please send us your passport, the completed, signed, form DSP-19, a note requesting additional pages, and a self-addressed, Y270 stamped envelope.  For Americans in the Tokyo area, please send your materials to the Embassy (address at the end of this email).  For others, please send your materials to the American Consulate serving you at the address listed at the end of this email.

There is no charge for additional pages.  Full details are online in English at http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhacs-7130g.html#addpages and in Japanese at http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhjacs-addpage.html because we know many of you have delegated this task in the past to Japanese staff in your offices.

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Unsubscribing
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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, click on this link, or type it into your browser's address window:

          http://mh.databack.com/c.php?L=tokyoacs&E=hermanpj@state.gov

You can also unsubscribe by writing from the same email address you used to subscribe, and send a blank email to:

          leave-tokyoacs@mh.databack.com


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Inclusion of Non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

This newsletter is prepared by the American Embassy in Tokyo with contributions from our Consulates/Consulates-General in Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka-Kobe, Fukuoka and Naha.

Need a form?  Just about any form needed for use in our American Citizen Services sections is now available for download, including passport forms, the things you need to marry in Japan, blank Powers of Attorney, US Federal tax forms and more.  Visit http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-forms.html, or take the shortcut at http://forms.tokyoacs.com/

Access us on your mobile phone at http://imode.tokyoacs.com

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Contact us:
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The American Embassy in Tokyo
American Citizen Services
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
Tel: 03-3224-5174
Fax: 03-3224-5856
http://www.tokyoacs.com

Visit us online in Japanese at http://j.tokyoacs.com

Aim your cell phone browser at http://imode.tokyoacs.com

The Embassy helps Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima,Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata, Yamanashi.


American Consulate General Sapporo
American Citizen Services
Kita 1-jo, Nishi 28-chome
Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821
Tel: 011-641-1115
Fax: 011-643-1283

The Consulate in Sapporo helps Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi. 


American Consulate Nagoya
Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor 
1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001 
TEL (052) 581-4501
FAX (052) 581-3190


Nagoya area residents, please contact the Consulate in Osaka-Kobe for extra passport pages and other passport services.


American Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
American Citizen Services
11-5, Nishitenma 2-chome
Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543
Tel: 06-6315-5912
Fax: 06-6315-5914

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
American Citizen Services
5-26, Ohori 2-chome
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052
Tel: 092-751-9331
Fax: 092-713-9222

The Consulate in Fukuoka helps Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi. 


American Consulate General Naha
American Citizen Services
No. 2564 Nishihara
Urasoe-shi, Okinawa 901-2101
Tel: 098-876-4211
Fax: 098-876-4243

The Consulate in Naha helps Americans in Okinawa, the Amami Oshima Island group, parts of Kagoshima Prefecture.



Travel, safety and security information is also available directly from the Department of State at http://travel.state.gov

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