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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000993

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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


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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