American Community Security Update November 21, 2000 -------------------------------------- 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 we are including information about how to call the Fire Department's 119 emergency dispatcher. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or if there is some aspect of our services you'd like to know more about, please FAX us your ideas at 03- 3224-5856. --------------------------- Security Situation in Japan --------------------------- Once again the security situation in Japan remains the same, with no new threat information reported either from the American or the Japanese side. There have been no security incidents, no large demonstrations nor any other security threats reported. However, the embassy continues to maintain a heightened state of alert in light of the September 11 attacks and we encourage all Americans living in Japan to do the same. Alert individuals, prepared for possible terrorist acts, can minimize the likelihood that that these acts will be successfully carried out against them. ------------------------------- Calling an emergency dispatcher ------------------------------- In case of an emergency in Japan, being able to communicate with the emergency dispatcher can literally be a life- saver. The emergency operator staff, which can be reached by dialing 119, has English-speaking staff available. In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Health & Medical Information Center offers an emergency interpretation service with English-speaking doctors at (03) 5285-8185. Their website, , contains an excellent, comprehensive "Guide to Emergency Medical Treatment in Tokyo". With apologies to the Foreign Nurses Association, among others, we would like to share with you just a few pointers on how to deal with emergency calls in Japan. In case of emergency, dial 119. 1. In case of fire, say: "KAJI DESU" 2. To call an ambulance, say: "KYUU- KYUU DESU" Do not hang up until the dispatcher understands your address and telephone number. Send someone out to the nearest major intersection to meet the ambulance or fire truck. Model dialogue of what to expect in the event of an emergency call: Dispatcher: "SHOU BOU CHOU... KAJI DESU KA? KYUU KYUU DESU KA?" (Fire department... Fire or ambulance?) Caller: "KYUU KYUU DESU." (Ambulance) Dispatcher: "DOU SHIMASHITA KA?" (What happened?) Caller: (see vocabulary below) A. Bleeding - "SHUKKETSU DESU" B. Broken bone - "KOSSETSU DESU" C. Burn - "HIDOI YAKEDO DESU" D. Difficulty breathing - "KOKYUU KONNAN DESU" E. Convulsions - "KEIREN DESU" F. Chest pains - "MUNE GA TAIHEN KURUSHII DESU" G. High fever - "KOU NETSU DESU" H. Injury - "KEGA DESU" I. Poison - "DOKUBUTSU DESU" J. Poison gas - "DOKU GASU DESU" K. Sick - "BYOUKI DESU" L. Unconscious - "ISHIKI FUMEI DESU" Dispatcher: "JU-SHO WA?" (or) "NANI- KU, NANI-MACHI, NAN-BAN DESU KA?" What is your address? For example, the address of the American Embassy in English is: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo In Japanese, this is reversed, and best understood, as follows: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Akasaka itt-chome juu no go. Since many Japanese streets do not bear names and house/building numbers are not consecutive, it is very important that you learn how to give adequate directions to your residence in case you need to explain it to a dispatcher, usually guiding them by way of major landmarks. One of the best tests to determine if you have the capability to guide someone to your residence is being able to order a taxicab, and not from a company which has your information already programmed into its computer. Usually, Japanese neighbors are a great source of information - ask them to tell you, word by word, how they direct people to their residences. Practice these directions on a regular basis and keep a cheat sheet by your telephone for family, babysitters, or friends to use in case of need. At the limit, and assuming you are not calling from a cell phone, just stay on the line. Emergency operators at the fire department have the ability to trace calls to your location.