Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO1027
2009-05-01 12:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:  

MGSF01: EMBASSY TOKYO EAC MEETING ON H1N1

Tags:  KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC AMGT TBIO KSAF KPAO KFLO 
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VZCZCXRO4363
OO RUEHFK RUEHKSO RUEHNH
DE RUEHKO #1027 1211243
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 011243Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2735
INFO RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA PRIORITY 3837
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA PRIORITY 6175
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE PRIORITY 7640
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO PRIORITY 4374
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001027 

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AMBASSADOR LOFTIS
DEPT FOR DS, EAP/J, EAP/EX, CA, AND OES/IHB
USDA PASS TO APHIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
HHS FOR OGHA
DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2019
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC AMGT TBIO KSAF KPAO KFLO
PREL, PINR, MG, SOCI, JA
SUBJECT: MGSF01: EMBASSY TOKYO EAC MEETING ON H1N1
PREPAREDNESS

REF: A. STATE 41768

B. STATE 42349

C. STATE 43249

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires James P. Zumwalt; Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 001027

SIPDIS

DEPT ALSO FOR AMBASSADOR LOFTIS
DEPT FOR DS, EAP/J, EAP/EX, CA, AND OES/IHB
USDA PASS TO APHIS
HHS PASS TO CDC
HHS FOR OGHA
DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2019
TAGS: KFLU AEMR ASEC CASC AMGT TBIO KSAF KPAO KFLO
PREL, PINR, MG, SOCI, JA
SUBJECT: MGSF01: EMBASSY TOKYO EAC MEETING ON H1N1
PREPAREDNESS

REF: A. STATE 41768

B. STATE 42349

C. STATE 43249

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires James P. Zumwalt; Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (SBU) The Charge d'Affaires chaired a May 1 meeting of
the Embassy's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to review
Mission pandemic tripwires and current actions in accordance
with guidance in refs A, B, and C and to consider Post's next
steps should the H1N1 virus reach Japan. U.S. Forces Japan
(USFJ) medical and public affairs officers also attended the
EAC meeting.

Current Actions
--------------

2. (C) The EAC reviewed efforts by Consular, Management,
and Public Affairs Sections to make available H1N1 and
pandemic preparedness information to official and
non-official Americans in Japan and to ensure messages
correspond with guidance in refs A and C and respect the "no
double-standard" policy. Post's website includes links to
USG, WHO, and Japanese pandemic information sources. The
monthly ACS electronic newsletter sent May 1 includes
appropriate links as well as the latest information about
health screening procedures at Japan's airports. Consular
officers reported few inquiries on H1N1 from American
citizens in, or traveling to, Japan. Post is establishing
lines of communication with GOJ officials about procedures
for and contact with American citizens, including Federal Air
Marshals, who may be subject to quarantine under Japan's
enhanced health screening at ports of entry.


3. (C) The Embassy sent a Management Notice to all Mission
staff April 29 containing publicly available information on
preparing for a pandemic and sheltering in place. Similar
guidance has been forwarded to Tokyo-area international
schools. Post will send updates via the Embassy's web-based
email listserve and plans to broadcast information via the
Embassy's television channel in order to keep the Embassy
community informed of H1N1-related developments over the
Japanese Golden Week holiday. (Note: The Embassy will be
closed for business May 2-6 and will reopen for normal
operations May 7. End Note).


4. (C) The EAC confirmed Post has adequate stocks of
antiviral medications and personal protective equipment,
including masks. The Management Section has increased
supplies of hand sanitizer and has reviewed cleaning and
hygiene procedures with janitorial and cafeteria staff.

Possible Actions Should H1N1 Reach Japan
--------------

5. (C) The EAC decided Post will send a warden message
should there be multiple confirmed H1N1 cases in Japan and/or
the GOJ steps up its pandemic-related measures. Post has
prepared a draft warden message ready to disseminate in such
a case. In the event of significant H1N1 developments over
the Golden Week holiday period, the Charge will call an
emergency meeting for the residents of the Embassy Housing
Compound and plan a Town Hall meeting with all Embassy staff
for the next business day, May 7. Should clusters of H1N1
appear in Japan, Post will consider making available masks
for staff with frequent public contact, limiting or screening
public access to the Embassy, restricting official travel
from/to Post, and instituting a liberal leave policy.

ZUMWALT