VZCZCXRO0011
OO RUEHGH RUEHKSO
DE RUEHKO #3554/01 2150421
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 030421Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6109
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 8191
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 5986
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3161
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0195

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 003554 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN JA
SUBJECT: Country Clearance for CODEL Hastert 
 
 
¶1.  (U) Embassy Tokyo welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Congressman J. Dennis Hastert and his delegation traveling to 
Japan from August 4-7, 2007.  The delegation is as follows: 
 
Rep. J. Dennis Hastert 
Rep. John Shadegg 
Mr. David Cavicke 
Mr. William Koetzle 
Maj. David Kincaid 
 
Post understand that SSG Jenkins, listen in reftel, will not be 
joining the delegation. 
 
¶2.  (U) Embassy control officer for this visit is Economic 
Officer Chris Wurzel.  He can be reached at any time through the 
embassy switchboard or by any of the following: 
 
Switchboard:          (81)-3-3224-5000 
Office phone:         (81)-3-3224-5027 
Home phone:           (81)-3-3224-6967 
Cell phone:           (81)-090-2644-4760 
Fax:                  (81)-3-3224-5019 
Unclassified e-mail:  WurzelCF@state.gov 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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Hotel Reservations 
------------------ 
 
¶3.  Accommodations have been reserved at the Imperial Hotel. 
Contact information for the hotel: 
 
Imperial Hotel Tokyo 
1-1, Uchisaiwai-cho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, 
Tokyo 100-8558 
TEL: 81-3-3504-1111 
FAX: 81-3-3581-9146 
 
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Transportation 
-------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) A/DCM Dave Davison, Management Officer Peter Hayden, and 
Control Officer Wurzel will meet the delegation at airport on 
their arrival. 
 
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Visa 
---- 
 
¶5.  (U) Holders of U.S. diplomatic or official passports must 
have a Japanese visa to enter Japan if they are on official 
business.  Travelers on a U.S. tourist (blue cover) passport may 
enter Japan as a tourist without a Japanese visa for up to 90 
days. 
 
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Electronic Equipment 
-------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) The Embassy's laptop policy states absolutely no personal, 
non-government owned laptop computer may enter the 
Embassy.  Absolutely no laptop, even government owned, may be 
connected to the Embassy network in any way.  TDY employees are 
reminded that no government owned laptops may enter the Embassy 
without prior RSO approval.  Absolutely no laptop, even 
government owned, inside CAA areas unless special pre-approval, 
based on business need, has been given.  If you would like to 
bring a U.S. government owned and provided laptop computer into 
the Embassy, please contact the RSO office prior to your visit 
for a briefing and approval. 
 
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Threat Assessment 
----------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) Please note that travelers to Japan should have a copy of 
their orders and official ID card with them at the time of 
entry.  Also be advised that under no circumstances may weapons 
be brought into Japan.  Carrying a pocket knife (including a 
Swiss army-style knife, craft or hunting knife, box cutter, etc.) 
in public is forbidden.  Under Japanese law, carrying any such 
item in public, with a size exceeding 8 cm in length, 1.5 cm in 
width, and 2 mm in thickness can subject the person to arrest or 
detention. 
 
¶8.  (U) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a 
heightened state of alert.  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, which may target 
 
TOKYO 00003554  002 OF 002 
 
 
civilians and include suicide operations.  Americans should 
increase their security awareness and avoid locations where 
Americans are generally known to congregate.  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 the Bureau of Consular Affairs homepage: 
http://www.travel.state.gov. 
 
¶9.  (U) Threat Assessment:  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.  This situation remains fluid and American citizens 
should be aware of the potential risks and take these into 
consideration when making travel plans.  The Department maintains 
information about potential threats to Americans overseas, which 
is available to travelers on the Internet at the Bureau of 
Consular Affairs' homepage:  http://www.travel.state.gov/.  The 
Embassy takes all threats seriously.  Embassy Tokyo can be 
contacted 24 hours a day at 03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224- 
5000 (internationally). 
 
¶10.  (U) The general threat from crime in Tokyo and throughout 
Japan is low; well below the U.S. national average.  Violent 
crime is rare, but does exist.  The Japanese National Police 
report continued problems with thefts and pick pocketing of 
foreigners in crowded shopping areas of Tokyo.  Common sense 
security measures are advised for all American citizens traveling 
in Japan. 
 
¶11.  (U) Visitors 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.  Visitors are also urged to avoid contact with any 
suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of 
such objects to local authorities.  Vehicles should not be left 
unattended and should be kept locked at all times. 
 
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Currency 
-------- 
 
¶12.  (U) Japanese Yen.  Credit cards are widely accepted at most 
shops, restaurants and hotels.  However, some credit card 
companies may charge an international transaction fee.  Using 
Stateside credit cards for cash advances is limited and there are 
only a small number of ATMs that accept Stateside cards.  Twenty- 
four hour currency exchange facilities are available in the 
customs area and arrival lobby of the airport. 
SCHIEFFER