Subject: Background Information from the Consular Section 
of the American Embassy in Tokyo, October 16, 2001
The Department of State has no new safety or security 
information subsequent to the Worldwide caution issued on 
October 7.  If we should become aware of any specific and 
credible threat to the safety and security of American 
citizens in Japan, that information will be provided to you 
by every available means.
We do not publish these emails on any schedule; instead, we 
release them only as new information becomes available.
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RUMORS
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Many people have contacted the Embassy in relation to 
rumors and threats they have heard.  In any instance where 
you believe a threat exists, please contact the Japanese 
police, who are able to assist in such matters where the 
Embassy cannot.  The Embassy has no police powers and 
cannot investigate suspicious persons or activities.  
Information of value to law enforcement agencies in the 
U.S. should be reported to the Embassy's Regional Security 
Office at 03-3224-5583.
In addition, we ask all Americans to examine each 
rumor/threat/concern with a critical eye.
The letters sent to Americans from Brunei (which caused 
many people to fear that the envelopes contained anthrax) 
were mailed to customers of Global Healthcare.  Global 
confirms that they contracted to send the letters to its 
customers, and the mailing firm routed the mailings through 
Brunei.  The envelopes have the former Global address 
covered with the Brunei return address stamp/label, which 
refers to a "Lockbox #8" in Brunei.  Global can be reached 
in Japan at 06-4706-7701.  Persons with different envelopes 
or other concerns about mail should contact the Japanese 
police.
In addition, recent concerns that caused one Tokyo 
international school to close appear to be localized 
versions of an Internet "urban myth" that involved a person 
being "tipped off" to a terrorist action by a Middle 
Eastern friend.  You can read the Internet version at 
http://www.snopes2.com/rumors/warning.htm
It is not our intent to use these emailed messages to 
respond to every rumor overheard; rather, we offer these 
two recent specific examples to suggest how misinformation 
may spread, and to encourage Americans to carefully 
evaluate information they receive before acting on it.
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ANTHRAX
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The U.S. Government has no information to indicate a 
specific or credible threat from chemical or biological 
agents against targets in Japan or elsewhere in the world.
More information on anthrax is available online at:
Responding to a Biological or Chemical Threat
http://ds.state.gov/publications/biochem.pdf
Information on Anthrax from the Centers for Disease Control 
(CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm
Anthrax as a Biological Weapon, from the Journal of the 
American Medical Association (JAMA)
http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v281n18/ffull/jst80027.html
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REGISTRATION
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All Amercians are urged to register with the Embassy.  You 
can now register online-details are on our redesigned web 
site at our new address, http://www.tokyoacs.com  You may 
also register by FAX; a downloadable form is on our 
website.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected, an online pamphlet 
produced by the American Red Cross.
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/unexpect
ed.html
Personal Safety publications from the Department of State's 
Office of Diplomatic Security.
http://ds.state.gov/publications/keepingsafe.htm
Creating a Comprehensive Emergency Procedures Manual for 
Overseas Schools from the Department of State's Overseas 
Schools Advisory Council.
http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwfscho.pdf
General travel and safety  information, from the Federal 
Aviation Administration.
http://www.faa.gov/apa/traveler.htm
Links to non-U.S. Government Internet sites should not be 
construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
==========================
Recommendations Issued by the National Center for Disease 
Control, http://www.cdc.gov, on October 12, 2001
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HOW TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL AGENT THREATS
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Many facilities in communities around the country have 
received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; 
some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of 
these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling 
such incidents.
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DO NOT PANIC
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1. Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, 
gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do, the organism 
must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as 
a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after 
exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the 
appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one 
person to another person.
2. For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must 
be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult 
to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and 
special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, 
life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt 
recognition and treatment are effective.
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SUSPICIOUS UNOPENED LETTER OR PACKAGE MARKED WITH 
THREATENING MESSAGE SUCH AS "ANTHRAX":
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1. Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious 
envelope or package.
2. PLACE the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some 
other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
3. If you do not have any container, then COVER the 
envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, 
trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover.
4. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off 
the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others 
away).
5. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading 
any powder to your face.
6. Report the incident to local police.
7. LIST all people who were in the room or area when this 
suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list 
to both the local public health authorities and law 
enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and 
advice.
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ENVELOPE WITH POWDER AND POWDER SPILLS OUT ONTO SURFACE:
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1. DO NOT try to CLEAN UP the powder. COVER the spilled 
contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, 
trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover!
2. Then LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off 
the area to prevent others from entering (i.e., keep others 
away).
3. WASH your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading 
any powder to your face.
4. Report the incident to local police.
5. REMOVE heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible 
and place in a plastic bag, or some other container that 
can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the 
emergency responders for proper handling.
6. SHOWER with soap and water as soon as possible. Do Not 
Use Bleach Or Other Disinfectant On Your Skin.
7. If possible, list all people who were in the room or 
area, especially those who had actual contact with the 
powder. Give this list to both the local public health 
authorities so that proper instructions can be given for 
medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for 
further investigation.
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QUESTION OF ROOM CONTAMINATION BY AEROSOLIZATION:
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For example: small device triggered, warning that air 
handling system is contaminated, or warning that a 
biological agent released in a public space.
1. Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
2. LEAVE area immediately.
3. CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent 
others from entering (i.e., keep others away).
4.  Report the incident to local police.
5. SHUT down air handling system in the building, if 
possible.
6. If possible, list all people who were in the room or 
area. Give this list to both the local public health 
authorities so that proper instructions can be given for 
medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for 
further investigation.
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HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS:
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Some characteristics of suspicious packages and letters 
include the following:
Excessive postage
Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
Incorrect titles
Title, but no name
Misspellings of common words
Oily stains, discoloration or odor
No return address
Excessive weight
Lopsided or uneven envelope
Protruding wires or aluminum foil
Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, 
etc.
Visual distractions
Ticking sound
Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or 
"Confidential"
Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match 
the return address