SUBJECT:  American Community Security Update - February 22, 2002

We use this service to provide you the most up-to-date safety and security related information we 
have available.  We will continue to do so, sending out messages as soon as new information 
becomes available.

In addition to sharing security-related information, we will continue to include news and 
information about our American Citizens Services of a more general nature.

This week's feature discusses the Department of State's worldwide change over to issuing all but 
emergency passports in the U.S.


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Security Situation
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The security situation in Japan remains the same with no new threat information reported from 
either the American or the Japanese side other than the worldwide caution we distributed via this 
channel on February 1, 2002.

The Japan National Police Agency has announced a reduction of high-risk attack sites under 
guard from 580 to 330.


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New Passports
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Effective April 8, 2002, American Citizens residing or traveling abroad who require issuance of a 
U.S. Passport will be issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport incorporating a photo-digitized 
image and other enhanced security features.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates will achieve this goal by transferring the passport issuance 
function to a domestic U.S. passport facility.  This will increase processing times at some U.S. 
Embassies and Consulates, but the Department is committed to ensuring that American Citizens 
receive secure documents in a timely manner.  American Citizens are encouraged to apply early 
for renewal of expiring passports.

U.S. Embassies and Consulates will continue to issue passports in emergency cases.  Such 
passports will be limited in validity and cannot be extended.  Bearers will be required, however, to 
exchange their limited validity photo-digitized passport upon completion of their emergency travel, 
both through passport facilities in the U.S. and U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad.

This is a new worldwide policy, applying to all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.  We expect to 
receive more details on this new program in the near future, and will update you as that 
information reaches us from Washington.

Requirements for passports otherwise remain the same, and are detailed on our web site at 
http://www.tokyoacs.com.


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2002 State Primaries in march
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   California 3/5
   Illinois 3/19
   Texas 3/12

We'll have more information on upcoming primaries in a future message.  Full details on 
voting by absentee ballot, including information on how to obtain the necessary Federal 
Post Card Application (FPCA), are on our web site at http://www.tokyoacs.com.  Under 
the heading "Living in Japan" you'll find a link marked "Voting Abroad by Absentee 
Ballot."