MGSF01 APRIL 29 UPDATE ON JAPAN'S RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000993 DEPT FOR OES/IHB AMBASSADOR LOFTIS DEPT FOR EAP/J, EAP/EX, CA USDA PASS TO APHIS, FAS FOR BURDETT HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU AEMR AESC CASC KFLO TBIO KSAF KPAO PREL PINR AMGT, MG, EAGR, JA SUBJECT: MGSF01 APRIL 29 UPDATE ON JAPAN'S RESPONSE TO H1N1 OUTBREAK REF: A) TOKYO 00965; B) TOKYO 00982 TOKYO 00000993 001.2 OF 002 This Message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: No human cases of swine flu have been reported in Japan. The GOJ has broadened its enhanced health screening of inbound passengers to include those arriving from any H1N1 affected country. Under Japan's quarantine law, border officials are authorized to detain passengers who refuse to complete health and contact information questionnaires. The stepped-up entry procedures caused delays for passengers arriving from the U.S. at Narita Airport April 28. Japanese military doctors and nurses began assisting with health screening at Narita Airport April 29. As the country moves into the Golden Week holidays, the Diet's Lower House's Steering Committee asked Diet members to refrain from international travel and major Japanese companies have announced steps to limit international business travel and minimize the movement of staff in Mexico. Some schools and universities have also cancelled current and upcoming overseas travel and study programs. Local governments are taking measures to prepare the public for the possibility of a pandemic and have set up hotlines to direct those with health concerns to appropriate medical facilities. End Summary. ¶2. (U) As of April 29, 2009 1600 local time, no human cases of Type A H1N1 influenza have been reported in Japan. ¶3. (SBU) Passengers arriving in Japan by air or sea from any country affected by the H1N1 virus, including the U.S., are required to provide upon arrival information on their health condition and contact information in Japan, according to officials at the Ministry of Health, labor, and Welfare (MHLW). Some airport officials said they are applying the enhanced screening procedures to all international arrivals, as they have not received specific instructions from MHLW. Health Ministry officials added that the GOJ's current pandemic alert level, raised to Stage One April 28, allows border officials to apply Japan's quarantine law and detain any arriving passenger who refuses to comply with the enhanced entry procedures. ¶4. (SBU) Media report enhanced screening procedures and limited quarantine staff caused delays for passengers April 28 at Narita Airport for passengers arriving from the U.S. Japan's Ground Self Defense Force dispatched 10 medical doctors and 20 nurses to Narita Airport to assist with on-board inspections, according to press reports. Japanese officials said Narita Airport is using NEC AVIO Advanced Thermo TVS-500EX equipment for its thermographic screening. ¶5. (SBU) In an April 28 meeting, the Diet's Lower House Steering Committee requested Diet members to voluntarily refrain from international travel. Media also reported the Steering Committee Chairman cancelled a planned trip to the U.S. for the Golden Week holidays. (Note: Most GOJ offices will be closed May 4-6 for Golden Week holidays; today, April 29 is also a Japanese holiday. End Note). ¶6. (SBU) In an address to the Diet April 28, PM Aso emphasized his government is united in efforts to carry out countermeasures at airports and provide the public with timely and accurate information. ¶7. (U) Local governments are also taking measures to increase awareness and provide information to the public. The Tokyo TOKYO 00000993 002.2 OF 002 Metropolitan Government (TMG) informed the Embassy of a hotline available in five languages, including English, for foreigners in Japan wishing to obtain information about medical facilities and updates on TMG's pandemic preparedness actions. (Note: Post added TMG's information to its Consular website. End Note). Fukuoka Prefecture has established a 24-hour hotline and counseling services at 13 public health centers. ¶8. (SBU) Japanese multinationals have announced actions to limit international business travel and minimize the movement of staff in Mexico. Corporate officials at Sharp told emboffs senior executives met recently to discuss the H1N1 outbreak and are asking staff in Mexico to limit their movements. Media report other companies have gone further. Toyota and Honda reportedly have directed staff to refrain from nonessential international business travel, while Sony has temporarily closed its Mexico sales office. Sanyo has banned travel to Mexico for its employees and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is asking staff traveling in Mexico to return to Japan. ¶9. (SBU) Keio University announced it cancelled an international biosecurity workshop that USG officials planned to attend in May. Schools and universities have also announced repatriation of students studying overseas and postponed student trips to affected countries. Kumamoto Gakuen University's President called for its exchange students in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand to return to Japan, according to local press reports. ¶10. (SBU) Kyushu media report local retail outlets are experiencing reduced pork sales and are promoting domestic pork despite GOJ announcements that pork is safe to consume. Pork producers in southern Kyushu are reported to be concerned about the overall drop in pork sales in Japan. ZUMWALT