Country Clearance for Steven Tepp, U.S. Copyright

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. -------------- 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