COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LAURA ROSENBERGER

UNCLAS TOKYO 001031

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA AMGT KNNP PREL MNUC KN CH JA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR LAURA ROSENBERGER

REF: STATE 45608


1. (U) Embassy warmly welcomes and grants country clearance
for the May 11-12, 2009, visit to Japan by Foreign Affairs
Officer Laura Rosenberger. Ms. ROSENBERGER will be traveling
with S/R Bosworth's delegation.


2. (U) Control Officer for the visit will be Political
Officer Marc Knapper. He can be reached at:

Office phone: (81-3)3224-5334
Home phone: (81-3)3224-6958
Mobile phone: 81-90-2210-8570
Fax: (81-3)3224-5322
E-mail: KnapperME@state.gov (unclassified)

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Hotel Reservations
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3. (U) Tokyo hotel reservations have been made at the Hotel
Okura 2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8416, Tel:
(81-3) 3582-0111 Fax: (81-3) 3582-3707. Details as follows:

Name: Laura ROSENBERGER
Arrive: 05/11/09
Depart: 05/12/09
Conf. No.: 651631

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Airport to Hotel Transportation
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4. (U) Control Officer Marc Knapper will meet Ambassador
Bosworth and party at the arrival gate and assist to an
embassy vehicle. The embassy is working to finalize
appointment details for meetings taking place on May 11.

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Visa
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5. (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. As of November
20, 2007, all foreign nationals entering Japan, with the
exemption of certain categories, are required to provide
fingerprints and a facial photograph at the port of entry.
This requirement does not replace any existing visa or
passport requirements. Official U.S. travelers will have to
submit to the photograph and fingerprinting requirement
unless they travel with a valid diplomatic or official visa
or a Note Verbale. The nature of the passport onto which the
visa is pasted is not relevant, i.e. a tourist passport
holder with a diplomatic or official visa will not have to
submit to the biometrics collection process. SOFA personnel
are exempt under SOFA Article 9 (2) from the new biometrics
entry requirements.

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Threat Assessment
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6. (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 civilians and include suicide operations.
The Department maintains information about potential threats
to Americans overseas which is available to travelers on the
internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page:
http://www.travel.state.gov. The Embassy takes all threats
seriously. U.S. Embassy Tokyo can be contacted 24 hours a
day at 03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224-5000
(internationally).


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) Also be advised that under no circumstances may
weapons be brought into Japan. Carrying a pocketknife
(including 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 or 2 mm in thickness, can
subject the person to arrest or detention.
ZUMWALT