VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #0441/01 0510725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 200725Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1850

UNCLAS TOKYO 000441 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON KIPR OTRA JA
SUBJECT: Country Clearance for Steven Tepp, U.S. Copyright 
Office 
 
 
¶1.  Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance for Steven 
Tepp, Policy Planning Advisor, U.S. Copyright Office for February 
26 through March 1, 2008. 
 
¶2.  (U) Embassy point of contact for this visit is Economic 
Officer Scott A. Smith.  He can be reached at any time through 
the embassy switchboard or by any of the following: 
 
Office phone:         (81)-3-3224-5024 
Fax:                  (81)-3-3224-5019 
Unclassified e-mail:  SmithSA@state.gov 
 
SIPDIS 
 
--------------------------- 
EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION 
--------------------------- 
 
U.S. Embassy Tokyo 
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 
Tel. (03) 3224-5000 / DSN 224-5000 Switchboard 
 
¶3.  The Embassy covers Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, 
Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata, 
and Yamanashi. 
 
----------------- 
VISA REQUIREMENTS 
----------------- 
 
¶4.  U.S. citizens entering or transiting Japan on official 
business must obtain a diplomatic or official visa for that 
purpose.  U.S. citizens traveling with a valid U.S. passport can 
enter Japan for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without a 
visa. 
 
¶5.  All foreign nationals entering Japan, with the exemption of 
certain categories, are required to have their fingerprints 
scanned and a facial photograph taken at the port of entry. This 
requirement does not replace any existing visa or passport 
requirements. U.S. travelers on official business must have a 
diplomatic or official visa specifying the nature of travel as 
"AS DIPLOMAT," "AS OFFICIAL," or "IN TRANSIT" to be exempt from 
biometric collection.  All other visa holders, including those 
with diplomatic and official visas stating "AS TEMPORARY 
VISITOR," are subject to this requirement.  Passport type is 
also irrelevant.  In rare instances, official travelers who 
bring a Note Verbale specifying they are entering Japan in an 
official capacity may be exempted from the biometric collection 
requirement, if otherwise required.  SOFA personnel are exempt 
under SOFA Article 9 (2) from the new biometrics entry 
requirements. 
 
--------------------------- 
SECURITY THREAT INFORMATION 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6.  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. 
 
¶7.  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 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. 
 
¶8.  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). 
 
¶9.  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. 
 
¶10.  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 
-------- 
 
¶11.  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. 
 
------------------------------------ 
EMBASSY POLICY ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶12.  The Embassy's electronic device (i.e. laptop, removable 
storage, video equipment, test equipment, etc.) policy states 
that absolutely no personal, non-government owned electronic 
devices may enter the Embassy.  Absolutely no equipment, even 
government-owned, may be connected to the Embassy network in any 
way without prior approval. 
 
¶13.  TDY employees are reminded that even government-owned 
equipment may not enter the Embassy without prior RSO 
approval.  Absolutely no electronic device, even government- 
owned, may enter the CAA unless special pre-approval is given by 
the RSO, based on a compelling business need.  If you would like 
to bring a U.S. government-owned electronic device into the 
Embassy, please contact the RSO office (provide make, model, 
serial number, and purpose) prior to your visit for a briefing 
and approval. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶14.  Visitors should take the airport "limousine" bus directly 
to the hotel or the Narita Express (NEX) train to Tokyo Station 
and then a taxi to the hotel.  The limousine bus counter is 
located in the Tokyo Narita Airport arrival lobby.  Look for the 
orange signs as you walk through the doors from the customs area 
to the main lobby.  The bus fare is 3,000 yen.  The NEX train is 
located in the basement of the airport terminal.  The train fare 
is 2,900 yen. 
SCHIEFFER