| July 14, 2004 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Japan is a stable, highly developed parliamentary democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Information on consular services in Japan, including registration, passport renewal, legal matters and safety and security, is available at http://www.tokyoacs.com. A full A-Z listing of our services is at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-atoz.html. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and an onward/return ticket are required. Passports must be valid for the intended period of stay in Japan. A visa is not required for tourist/business stays up to 90 days. Americans cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry. As a general rule, “visa free” entry status may not be changed to other visa status without departing and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa such as a spouse, work or study visa. Japanese Visas: For information about the Japanese visa waiver for tourists, Japan's strict rules on work visas, special visas to take depositions, and other visa issues, travelers should consult the Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan at 2520 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 238-6800, or the nearest Japanese consulate. In the United States, there are Japanese consulates in the following cities: Agana (Guam) (671) 646-1290
Anchorage (907) 562-8424
Atlanta (404) 240-4300
Boston (617) 973-9772
Chicago (312) 280-0400
Denver (303) 534-1151
Detroit (313) 567-0120
Honolulu (808) 543-3111
Houston (713) 652-2977
Kansas City (816) 471-0111
Los Angeles (213) 617-6700
Miami (305) 530-9090
New Orleans (504) 529-2101
New York (212) 371-8222
Portland (Oregon) (503) 221-1811
Saipan (Northern Marianas) (670) 234-7201
San Francisco (415) 777-3533
Seattle (206) 682-9107. Additional information is available via the Internet on the Embassy of Japan home page at http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp. Our posts in Japan cannot assist in obtaining visas for Japan. Military/SOFA Travelers: While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with proper Department of Defense (DOD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees and contractors must have a valid passport and, in some cases, a SOFA visa to enter Japan. Active-duty military personnel should obtain a tourist passport prior to leaving the United States to accommodate off-duty travel elsewhere in Asia as obtaining one while in Japan can take several weeks. Personnel whose duties will include official travel should also obtain an Official Passport before coming to Japan to avoid delays of up to two months, as from overseas these applications must be referred to a special office in Washington, adding to processing times. DOD travelers should consult the DOD Foreign Clearance Guide, DOD 4500.54, http://www.fcg.pentagon.mil/, before leaving the United States. Passport Validity: U.S. citizens entering or transiting Japan should ensure that their passports and visas are up to date before leaving the United States. Many Asian countries deny entry to travelers whose passports are valid for less than six months. It is not usually possible to obtain a new U.S. passport and foreign visa during a brief stopover while transiting Japan, as tourist passport processing in Japan can take two to three weeks. Airlines in Japan will deny boarding to Americans who seek to transit Japan without the required travel documents for their final destinations in Asia. Expired Passports: Airlines have mistakenly boarded American citizens coming to Japan, even though that person's passport has already expired. The U.S. Embassy or our Consulates cannot "vouch for" an American citizen without a valid passport, and passport services are not available at the airport. In some instances, travelers have been returned immediately to the U.S., while in other cases, they have been issued 24-hour "shore passes" and were required to return the next day to Japanese Immigration for lengthy processing. Visas for China: Americans need visas to visit China. Transit visas are required for any stop (even if you do not exit the plane or train) in China. Americans will be denied boarding in Japan for onward flights to China if they do not have a Chinese visa. Obtaining a Chinese visa in Japan can be a lengthy and complex process without preplanning. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates cannot assist in obtaining Chinese visas. SAFETY AND SECURITY: The events of September 11, 2001 serve as a reminder of the continuing threat from terrorists and extremist groups to Americans and American interests worldwide. There have been no major terrorist incidents in Japan since 1995; however, since terrorists can strike at any time and at any place, American citizens should be aware of the potential risks and take these into consideration when making travel plans. Our offices in Japan disseminate threat information through our nationwide email warden system and posts current threat information on our ACS website at http://www.tokyoacs.com/. Anyone may sign up for our emailed warden system messages through our web site at http://www.tokyoacs.com/. The Department of State will continue to develop information about potential threats to American citizens overseas and to share threat information through its consular information program documents available on the Internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. The government of Japan is vigilant in tracking terrorist threat indicators and remains at a high state of alert. Local police substations (Koban) and police emergency dispatchers (tel. 110) should be contacted to report suspicious activity. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
CRIME: Crimes against U.S. citizens in Japan are rare and usually only involve personal disputes, theft or vandalism. Crime is at levels well below the U.S. national average. Violent crime is rare, but does exist. Incidents of pickpocketing of foreigners in crowded shopping areas, on trains and at airports have been a sporadic concern. Some Americans believe that Japanese police procedures appear to be less sensitive and responsive to a victim's concerns than would be the case in the United States, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and sexual assault. Few victim’s assistance resources or battered women’s shelters exist in major urban areas, and are generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without women police officers present and typically involve inquiries into the victim’s sexual history and previous relationships. Quality of translations can vary significantly, and has proven unsettling to some American victims. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/. Except for emergencies, a replacement passport takes two to three weeks to process. Travelers will then need to contact Japanese Immigration to have their Japanese visas re-issued. "Lost" passports will not disguise an over-stay of one's 90-day entry, as Japanese Immigration records are computerized. Information on replacing a lost passport, included the necessary forms, is available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7130e.html. Police can be summoned throughout Japan by dialing 110. Fire and ambulance services can be summoned by dialing 119. These numbers may not work from cell phones, however, and English-speaking dispatchers may not be available. Advice on how to call for an ambulance in Japan is available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-call.html. MEDICAL FACILITIES: While medical care in Japan is good, English-speaking physicians and medical facilities that cater to Americans' expectations are expensive and not very widespread. Japan has a national health insurance system, which is only available to foreigners with long-term visas for Japan. National health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation or medical care outside of Japan. Medical caregivers in Japan require payment in full at the time of treatment or concrete proof of ability to pay before treating a foreigner who is not a member of the national health insurance plan. U.S.-style and standard psychiatric care can be difficult to locate in major urban centers in Japan, and generally is not available outside of Japan's major cities. Extended psychiatric care for foreigners in Japan is difficult to obtain at any price; see http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-psychadmissions.html for more information. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan, so travelers with ongoing prescription medicine needs should arrive with a sufficient supply to see them through their stay in Japan, or enough until they are able to see a local care provider. Certain medications, including some commonly prescribed for depression and Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD), are not widely available. Please see the section below entitled, "Confiscation of Prescription Drugs and Other Medication," regarding the importation of medicine into Japan. More information on importing medicines into Japan is also available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-medimport.html. A list of English-speaking medical facilities throughout Japan is available on our web site at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7119.html. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. It can be both difficult and expensive for foreigners not insured in Japan to receive medical care. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000. Private U.S. citizens are ineligible for treatment at U.S. military hospitals in Japan or U.S. military medical evacuation to the U.S. Access to military facilities is controlled solely by the military; veterans with service-connected disabilities should contact the appropriate U.S. military hospital before traveling to Japan. In the event of death, the cost of preparation and shipment of remains to the U.S is over $15,000. Almost no care providers accept U.S.-based health insurance "up front"; patients pay in cash and then seek reimbursement from their insurance company once they return home. Most small clinics and some large hospitals do not accept credit/debit cards. No facility accepts checks drawn on U.S. bank accounts. Please check with your insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Persons with serious medical conditions who travel to Japan may wish to consider obtaining insurance that specifically covers medical evacuation because the cost for medical evacuation from Japan can be extremely expensive. Most U.S. health insurance coverage is geared to the domestic medical environment. In view of rising costs, medical insurance plans rely heavily on negotiated prices with medical providers. Since negotiated arrangements with overseas providers and facilities are next to non-existent, carriers may impose limitations to contain costs or to protect the plans from what they consider unreasonable or excessive charges. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' brochure, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. CONFISCATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND OTHER MEDICATION: Decisions on what medications may be imported legally into Japan are made by the Japanese Government, and unfortunately the limited information we have available at the American Embassy and our Consulates does not include comprehensive lists of specific medications or ingredients. It is illegal to bring into Japan some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States, including inhalers and some allergy and sinus medications. Specifically, products that contain stimulants (medicines that contain Pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers), or Codeine are prohibited. Up to a two-months' supply of allowable over-the-counter medication and up to a four-months' supply of allowable vitamins can be brought into Japan duty-free. Some U.S. prescription medications cannot be imported into Japan, even when accompanied by a customs declaration and a copy of the prescription. Japanese customs officials have detained travelers carrying prohibited items, sometimes for several weeks. Japanese customs officials do not make on-the-spot "humanitarian" exceptions for medicines that are prohibited in Japan. Generally, up to one month's supply of allowable prescription medicine can be brought into Japan. Travelers must bring a copy of their doctor's prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug. Travelers who must carry more than one month's supply, or are carrying syringes, may be required to fill out a customs declaration form before entering Japan. To obtain the customs declaration form before you leave, or for more information on taking medication into Japan, contact the Embassy of Japan's Economic Section 202-238-6700 or at http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulat.htm. The American Embassy and our Consulates in Japan do not stock these forms. Japanese physicians can often prescribe similar, but not identical, substitutes to medicines available in the U.S. A Japanese doctor, consulted by phone in advance, is also a good source of information on medications available and/or permitted in Japan. A list of English-speaking medical facilities throughout Japan is available on our web site at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7119.html. Some popular medications legal in the U.S., such as Prozac and Viagra, are sold illegally in Japan on the black market. You are subject to arrest and imprisonment if you purchase such drugs illegally while in Japan. Persons traveling to Japan carrying prescription and non-prescription medications should consult the Japanese Embassy, or a Japanese Consulate, in the United States before leaving the U.S. to confirm whether they will be allowed to bring the particular medication into Japan. A full listing of phone numbers and email addresses is available at http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulat.htm. Other Government of Japan sources of information are included on the web site of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare at http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/import/index.html. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Japan is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance: Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural road conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good (but available only in Japanese) Driving in Japan is quite complicated and expensive. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls are assessed at about $1 (U.S.) per mile. City traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no legal roadside parking. In mountainous areas, roads are often closed during the winter, and cars should be equipped with tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower than those in the United States. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. Vehicular traffic moves on the left. Turns at red lights are forbidden, unless specifically authorized. Japanese law provides that all persons who drive in Japan are held liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Drivers stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicants will have their licenses confiscated. Persons found guilty of "drunken, speeding or blatantly careless driving that results in death" are subject to up to 15 years in prison. The National Police Agency (NPA) oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws. Further information in English is available on the NPA's web site at http://www.npa.go.jp/. Emergency Assistance: Within Japan, please dial 110 for police, and 119 for ambulance. For roadside assistance, please contact JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) at 03-5395-0111 in Tokyo, 06-577-0111 in Osaka, 011-857-8139 in Sapporo, 092-841-5000 in Fukuoka, or 098-877-9163 in Okinawa. For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html. For specific information concerning Japanese driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Japan National Tourist Organization offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco via the Internet at http://www.jnto.go.jp/. In addition, information about roadside assistance, rules of the road and obtaining a Japanese driver's license is available in English from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) web site at http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/index_e.htm. Please see also road safety information from other sources in Japan, including the following: Japan Road Safety Links: National Organization for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (OSA) at http://www.osa.go.jp/html99e/994100e.html, Ministry of Transport at http://www.motnet.go.jp/index.htm, Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis at http://www2.ceri.go.jp/eng/e9a.html, and Institute for Traffic Accident Research: Fatalities by Prefecture at http://www2.ceri.go.jp/eng/e9a.html. INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS (IDP): An international driving permit issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan. International driving permits are not issued by the U.S. Embassy or by its Consulates, and must be obtained prior to arriving in Japan. IDP’s issued via the Internet and/or by other organizations are not considered valid in Japan. IDP’s issued to Americans in third countries where they are not resident are often considered invalid, or are subject to close scrutiny. “Residents” are expected to convert to or obtain a Japanese drivers license. Persons using an international drivers license who are resident in Japan can be subject to fines or arrest. The exact boundary between "resident" and "non-resident" is unclear. In practice it seems to involve more than simply visa status or length of stay in Japan and is determined by the police. In short, an international license is not a permanent or expedient substitute for a valid Japanese license. You can learn more at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-drive.html. Japan requires American citizens to take not only a written but also a road test in order to obtain a Japanese driver's license. We have heard from several Americans who were told by the police that it is illegal to use an International Driver's License for more than a year from the date of their first entry to Japan (even if one leaves and reenters Japan within 3 months, the first entry date is still considered the date of entry for the one-year period), or if they have a Japanese Alien Registration Card, or if they are planning to stay more than 90 days, or to use one after exiting and then returning to Japan, or when residing in Japan, or to use an International Driver's License obtained by mail while you are in Japan. In such circumstances, Americans have been charged with driving without a license, a serious offense. Driving without a legal license may also void insurance coverage. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Japan's civil aviation authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Japan's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the United States at tel. 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at tel. 618-229-4801. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Japan has very strict laws regarding the importation and possession of firearms and other weapons. Persons bringing a firearm or sword into Japan (including target and trophy pistols, air guns and Japanese-origin swords) may have these items confiscated by Japanese customs authorities, and may be arrested, prosecuted and deported or jailed. Some prescription medications, as well as some over-the-counter medications, cannot be imported into Japan. (Please see the "Confiscation of Prescription Drugs and other Medication" section in this Consular Information Sheet.) Please contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese Consulate in the United States, or visit the Narita Airport (Tokyo) Customs web site in English at http://www.narita-airport-customs.go.jp/eng/index.html, for specific information regarding import restrictions and customs requirements. Japanese customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Car net for the temporary importation into Japan of professional equipment, commercial samples and/or goods for exhibitions and trade fairs. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, or send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org/ for details. In Many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking Japanese law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Japanese law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Persons arrested in Japan, even for a minor offense, may be held in detention without bail for two to three months during the investigation and legal proceedings. Information about Japanese criminal law is available in English at the National Police Agency (NPA) web site at http://www.npa.go.jp/. A list of English-speaking lawyers throughout Japan is available on our web site at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7113.html. Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account for which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18. Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16. ILLEGAL DRUGS: Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Japan are strict, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines. In most drug cases, suspects are usually detained incommunicado, which bars them from receiving visitors or corresponding with anyone other than a lawyer or U.S. consular officer until after indictment, which may take as long as several months. Solitary confinement is common. People can be convicted of drug use based on positive blood or urine tests alone, and multiple Americans are now serving time in Japanese prisons as the result of sting operations and the use of informers. The Japanese police routinely share information on drug arrests with Interpol, assuring that notice of the arrest will reach U.S. law enforcement agencies. About half of all Americans now in prison in Japan are incarcerated for drug-related crimes. In mid-2004, there were seven reports of foreigners (including Americans) allegedly overdosing on heroin, resulting in four deaths. The heroin was allegedly purchased in the Roppongi area of Tokyo. Some of the buyers may have believed they were purchasing cocaine. Japanese authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers with sophisticated detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs and other methods. Travelers and their luggage entering Japan are screened at ports of entry; incoming and outgoing mail, as well as international packages sent via DHL or FEDEX, is also checked carefully. The Japanese police make arrests for even the smallest amounts of illegal drugs. Several Americans are now in custody after having mailed illegal drugs to themselves from other countries. Other Americans are serving time for having tried to bring drugs into Japan as paid couriers working out of Southeast Asia or Europe.
IMMIGRATION PENALTIES: Japanese work visas are issued outside of Japan for a specific job with a specific employer at a specific place of employment, and are not transferable. It is illegal for U.S. citizens to work in Japan while in tourist or visa-waiver status. Japanese authorities do not allow foreigners to change their immigration status from visa-waiver status to work status while in Japan. Japanese immigration officers may deny entry to travelers who appear to them to have no visible means of support. Please contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese consulate in the United States for guidance on what constitutes adequate financial support for a specific period of time. A U.S. citizen who works in Japan without a work visa may be subject to arrest, which can involve several weeks or months of incarceration, followed by conviction and imprisonment or deportation. The deportee must bear the cost of deportation, including legal expenses and airfare. Changes to Japanese immigration law enacted in February 2000 make illegal entry or landing into Japan a crime and bar former illegal entrants from returning to Japan for five years. Persons who overstay their visas, even by as little as a few days, are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens should carry their U.S. passports or Japanese alien registration cards with them at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship is readily available. In accordance with the U.S.-Japan Consular Convention, U.S. consular officers are generally notified within 24 hours of the arrest of a U.S. citizen, if the U.S. citizen requests consular notification. CONDITIONS AT PRISONS AND DETENTION FACILITIES: Japanese prisons and detention facilities maintain internal order through a regime of very strict discipline. American-citizen prisoners often complain of stark, austere living conditions and psychological isolation. A prisoner can become eligible for parole only after serving about 60-70% of his/her sentence. Early parole is not allowed for any reason--humanitarian, medical or otherwise. Access to competent interpreters is not required at all times under Japanese criminal law. More information is available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7110a.html. Japan has acceded to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which, in certain circumstances, allows American citizens currently serving prison sentences in Japan to be transferred back to the United States to serve out the remainder of their sentence in a U.S. prison. Information about detention in Japan is available in English at the National Police Agency (NPA) web site at http://www.npa.go.jp/. EMPLOYMENT ISSUES: The Japanese economy remains in recession, and no American citizen should come to work in Japan without the proper working visa arranged ahead of time, or in the hopes of earning a large salary. U.S. citizens planning to work in Japan should never enter Japan using a tourist visa or the visa waiver, even if they have been advised to do so. Such actions are illegal and can lead to arrest, incarceration and/or deportation. Teaching English, even with private students, and serving as a hostess, are both considered "work" in Japan and are illegal without the proper visa. Assessing Employment Offers: Some U.S.-based employment agencies and Japanese employers do not fully discuss, or correctly represent, the true nature of employment terms and conditions. U.S. consular officers in Japan receive numerous complaints from U.S. citizens who come to Japan to work as English teachers, carpenters, models, actors, entertainers, exotic dancers and bar hostesses. These complaints include contract violations, non-payment of salary for months at a time, sexual harassment, intimidation and threats of arrest, deportation and physical assault.
A minimum requirement for effectively seeking the protection of Japanese labor law is a written and signed work contract. Without such a contract, Japanese authorities do not intervene on behalf of foreign workers. It is prudent for U.S. citizens coming to work in Japan carefully to review their contracts and the bona fides of their Japanese employer before traveling to Japan. U.S. consular officers generally are unable to confirm the bona fides of prospective Japanese employers, although they may be familiar with organizations about which they have received complaints in the past. If asked to do something they find troubling, U.S. citizens may wish to reassess their reason for being in Japan, and consider terminating their employment and returning to the United States. Complaints against U.S.-based employment agencies or recruiters may be directed to the Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org/, or the Office of the Attorney General of the state in question. Teaching English: For specific information on teaching English in Japan, please contact the Embassy of Japan or nearest Japanese consulate in the United States, or visit the Embassy of Japan's home page on the Internet at http://www.embjapan.org/. LIVING EXPENSES: Japan's cost of living is one of the highest in the world. An American family, expecting to lead an unostentatious U.S.-middle class lifestyle in the Tokyo area, to include recreation, children's education in English, clothing, medical and dental care, housing and food, should be prepared for $100,000-200,000 in annual expenses. This lifestyle may be unavailable at any price in outlying areas. The use of credit/debit cards is not widespread, particularly outside major cities. While there are ATMs in Japan, most are not open 24 hours a day or do not accept a U.S.-based card. Taxi fares from airports to downtown Osaka and Tokyo can cost hundreds of dollars; bus fare can run $25 (U.S.) or more. The airport departure fee is generally included in the ticket prices of flights departing from both Narita (Tokyo) International Airport and Kansai (Osaka) International Airport. ENGLISH HELP AND INFORMATION LINES: Tourists and foreign residents in Japan have access to valuable information, including professional counseling, via help and information telephone hotlines. The Tokyo English Lifeline (http://www.telljp.com) provides English-speaking counseling and referrals at 03-5774-0992. The Japan Help Line provides similar assistance nationwide at 0120-461-997 (http://www.jhelp.com/) DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Japan is faced with the ever-present danger of deadly earthquakes and typhoons. Japan is one of the most seismically active locations in the world; minor tremors are felt regularly throughout the islands. While responsibility for caring for disaster victims, including foreigners, rests with the Japanese authorities, one of the first things a traveler should do upon arriving in Japan is to learn about earthquake and disaster preparedness from hotel or local government officials. Additional details on self-preparedness are available via the Internet at http://www.tokyoacs.com/ and on the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) home page at http://www.fema.gov/.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html , or telephone 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328. Japan is not a Hague Convention signatory, and U.S. court custody decisions are not enforceable in Japan. Almost all children born to a Japanese parent since the 1980's are Japanese citizens, and may travel on Japanese passports issued in the U.S. even if the left-behind parent in the U.S. does not agree to the issuance of a U.S. passport. The Embassy and our Consulates do not have access to Japanese Immigration records and cannot confirm that a child has entered or departed Japan. The Japanese government will not refuse entry to one of its citizens, even if that citizen is a dual-national child subject to a U.S. court-based custody decision. REGISTRATION/U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: U.S. citizens resident in or visiting Japan are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the five U.S. Consulates in Japan, where they may also obtain updated information on travel and security within Japan. Registration forms are available via the home pages of, or by fax from, the U.S. Embassy or one of the U.S. Consulates at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7130a.html. Online registration is available for the areas served by the Embassy and our Consulate in Naha, Okinawa through their respective web sites. Travelers and residents can also sign up for an e-mail Community Security Update newsletter at http://www.tokyoacs.com/. Alien registration formalities required under Japanese immigration law are separate from U.S. citizen registration, which is voluntary and allows U.S. consular officials to better assist American citizens in distress. Registration information is protected by the Privacy Act. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is located at 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Japan; telephone 81-3-3224-5000; fax 81-3-3224-5856. Recorded visa information for non-U.S. citizens is available at the following 24-hour toll phone number: 03-5354-4033. The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo's web site is http://www.tokyoacs.com/. Please see also the U.S. Commercial Service in Japan's web site at http://www.csjapan.doc.gov/. The U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe is located at 2-11-5 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543; telephone 81-6-6315-5900; fax 81-6-6315-5914. Recorded information for U.S. citizens concerning U.S. passports, notarials and other American citizens services is available 24 hours at 81-6-6315-5900. Recorded visa information for non-U.S. citizens is available at the following 24-hour toll phone number: 0990-526-160. Its web site is http://www.senri-i.or.jp/amcon/. The U.S. Consulate General in Naha is located at 2564 Nishihara, Urasoe, Okinawa 901-2101; telephone 81-98-876-4211; fax 81-98-876-4243. Its web site is http://naha.usconsulate.gov. The U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo is located at Kita 1-Jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821; telephone 81-11-641-1115, fax 81-11-643-1283. Its web site is http://sapporo.usconsulate.gov. The U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka is located at 2-5-26 Ohori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052; telephone 81-92-751-9331; fax 81-92-713-9222. Its web site is http://fukuoka.usconsulate.gov. The U.S. Consulate in Nagoya is located at the Nishiki SIS Building, 6th Floor, 3-10-33 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0003; telephone 81-52-203-4011; fax 81-52-201-4612. The U.S. Consulate in Nagoya offers only limited emergency consular services for U.S. citizens. The U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe handles all routine matters. A consular officer from the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe visits the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya on the second Wednesday of every month. During those visits, the consular officer provides consular services to U.S. citizens by appointment. To make an appointment for consular services in Nagoya, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Nagoya at the number listed above. The U.S. Consulate in Nagoya's web site is http://nagoya.usconsulate.gov. Maps to all our offices in Japan, along with directions on using public transportation to reach us, are available at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7123.html. * * * This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 15, 2004.
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