U.S. Department of State
U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, Japan
September 14, 2001

Please pass the following U.S. Department of State public announcement to American 
citizens.  Further travel information is always available at http://travel.state.gov, on 
recorded telephone message at 1-202-647-5225 or by faxback at 1-202-647-3000.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT -Worldwide Caution 
September 12, 2001

The events of September 11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Somerset, 
Pennsylvania, serve as a cruel reminder of the continuing threat from terrorists and 
extremist groups to Americans and American interests worldwide. This situation remains 
fluid and American citizens should be aware of the potential risks and to take these into 
consideration when making travel plans. The Department will continue to develop 
information about potential threats to Americans overseas and to share credible threat 
information through its Consular Information Program documents available on the 
Internet at http://www.travel.state.gov.

As the U.S. Government has reported in Public Announcements over the last several 
months, U.S. citizens and interests abroad may be at increased risk of terrorist actions 
from extremist groups. Most recently, we advised that we had unconfirmed information 
that terrorist actions may be taken against U.S. military facilities and/or establishments 
frequented by U.S. military personnel in Korea and Japan. In addition, we continue to be 
concerned about information we received in May 2001 that American citizens may be the 
target of a terrorist threat from extremist groups with links to Usama Bin Ladin's AI-
Qaida organization. In the past, such individuals have not distinguished between official 
and civilian targets. We take this information seriously. In light of the above information, 
U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert.

U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to increase their security 
awareness. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all 
required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. 
American citizens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, 
and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities. Vehicles should not be left 
unattended and should be kept locked at all times. U.S. Government personnel overseas 
have been advised to take the same precautions.

U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department of State's Public 
Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, and regional travel 
brochures, all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet website at 
http://travel.state.gov. We will continue to provide updated information should it become 
available. American citizens overseas may contact the American Citizens Services unit of 
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on 
security conditions. American citizens in need of emergency assistance should telephone 
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before visiting there. U.S. Government facilities 
have and will continue to temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to 
review their security posture and ensure its adequacy. In those instances, U.S. Missions 
will make every effort to provide emergency services to American citizens.

In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may hear recorded information 
by calling the Department of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their 
touch-tone telephone, or receive information by automated fax by dialing 202-647-3000 
from their fax machine.

This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement -Worldwide Caution of 
September 7, 2001, to inform U.S. citizens of our continued concern about safety and 
security overseas in light of the events of September 11. This Public Announcement 
expires on March 12, 2002.