COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR ANGELA GJERTSON, U.S.

1. (SBU) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance for
the September 28 - October 4, 2006 visit to Japan by Angela
Gjertson, U.S. participant in United Nations Fellowship on
Disarmament.



2. (SBU) The Embassy Tokyo Point of Contact will be Scott
Hansen. He can be reached at:

Office phone: (81-3)3224-5559
Home phone: (81-3)3224-6858
Fax: (81-3)3224-5322
E-mail: HansenSW@state.gov (unclassified)



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Airport to Hotel Transportation


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3. (SBU) We understand that program sponsors are
responsible for all arrangements for Ms. Gjertson's
accommodations and in-country transportation and that no
Embassy assistance is requested. Please advise if this
understanding is incorrect. Embassy officers would
nonetheless be pleased to meet with Ms. Gjertson to discuss
her program.



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Visa


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4. (U) Holders of U.S. diplomatic or official passports
must have a Japanese visa to enter Japan. 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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Embassy Laptop Policy


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5. (U) The Embassy's laptop policy is as follows:
Absolutely no personal, non-government owned laptop computers
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 US government owned and
provided laptop computer into the Embassy, please contact the
RSO's office prior to your visit for the briefing and
approval.



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Threat Assessment


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6. (U) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a
heightened state of alert. 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
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 the Bureau of Consular
Affairs home page: http://www.travel.state.gov.



7. (SBU) The general threat from crime in Tokyo and
throughout Japan is low. Crime is at levels well below the
U.S. national average. Violent crime is rare, but does
exist. The Japanese National Police report continued
problems with pick-pocketing of foreigners in crowded
shopping areas of Tokyo. Although street crime is low,
common sense security measures are advised for all American
citizens traveling in Japan.



8. (U) 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

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include suicide operations. 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.
Americans should increase their security awareness and avoid
locations where Americans are generally known to congregate.



9. (U) 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 Laden's Al-Qaida organization. In
the past, such individuals have not distinguished between
official and civilian targets. The Embassy takes all threats
seriously. The U.S. Embassy Tokyo can be contacted 24 hours
a day at 03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224-5000
(internationally).



10. (SBU) 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.
SCHIEFFER