From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Japan
Date: 16 Nov 1992 15:08:01 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Japan
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Japan - Consular Information Sheet
 November 13, 1992

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Japan is 
located at 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo - 
telephone: (81-3-3) 224-5000.  The U.S. Consulate General in Osaka 
Kobe is located at 11-5 Nishitenma 2-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530 - 
telephone: (81-6) 315-5900.  The U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo 
is located at Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064 - 
telephone: (81-11) 641-1115.  The U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka is 
located at 5-26 Ohori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810 - telephone: 
(81-92) 751-9331/4.  The Embassy fax number is (81-3) 3505-1862; for 
Osaka-Kobe it is (81-6) 361-5397; for Sapporo it is (81-11) 
643-1283; for Fukuoka it is (81-92) 713-9222.

Country Description:  Japan is a highly developed stable 
parliamentary democracy with a modern economy.  Tourist facilities 
are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  Passports and onward/return tickets are 
required.  Visas are not required for tourist/business stays of up 
to 90 days.  However, anyone arriving under the terms of the 90-day 
visa waiver will not be allowed to extend his/her stay or adjust 
status.  There are no exceptions to this rule.  For specific 
information concerning travel to Japan, travelers may consult the 
Embassy of Japan at 2520 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20008, Tel: (202) 939-6700, or the nearest Consulate in Anchorage, 
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los 
Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Portland, San Francisco, or Seattle.

Medical Facilities:  Health care facilities in Japan are good.  
However, Japan has a national health insurance system, and it can be 
very difficult for foreigners not insured in Japan to receive 
medical care.  Medical care clinics do not require deposits, but 
insist upon payment in full at time of treatment and may require 
proof of ability to pay prior to treating a foreigner.  U.S. medical 
insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  
Supplemental medical insurance which specifically covers treatment 
in Japan has proved to be useful.  The international travelers 
hotline at the Centers for Disease Control may be reached at (404) 
332-4559 for additional useful health information.

Information on Crime:  Crimes against U.S. citizens are rare and 
those that occur usually involve petty theft and vandalism.  Useful 
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security 
while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State 
pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad".  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.  It is illegal to bring Vicks inhalers, 
Sudafed, and other types of over-the-counter medicines containing 
trace amounts of amphetamines or amphetamine-like drugs into Japan.  
Travelers carrying these items have been detained by Japanese 
customs officials and subjected to investigation, sometimes for 
several weeks.  Japanese officials may require travelers in 
possession of medicines to present copies of prescriptions.

Detention for Minor Offenses:  Persons arrested in Japan, even for 
a minor offense, can be held in detention for weeks or months during 
the investigation and legal proceedings.

Other Information:  Japan is an extremely expensive country to 
visit.  Visitors have found it useful to determine in advance what 
expenses will be and to make sure they have ample funds for their 
expected stay.

Registration:  U. S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy or a 
U.S. consulate can obtain updated information on travel and security 
within the country.

 No. 92-100