Subject: American Community Security Update - March 15, 2002 We use this service to provide you the most up-to-date safety and security related information we have available. We will continue to do so, sending out messages as soon as new information becomes available. In addition to sharing security-related information, we will continue to include news and information about our American Citizens Services of a more general nature. This week's feature discusses the 2002 World Cup soccer in Japan and what visiting Americans can expect. ------------------ Security Situation ------------------ The security situation in Japan remains the same with no new threat information reported from either the American or the Japanese side other than the worldwide caution we distributed via this channel on February 1, 2002. ------------------ World Cup in Japan ------------------ The 2002 World Cup in Japan 2002 brings the World Cupinternational soccer competition to Japan, with Korea as a co-host. With many Americans planning on traveling to Japan for this event, we'd like to offer some tips to make your visit safer and easier. The Basics: The 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan final tournament will kickoff in Korea on May 31, 2002 and conclude with a new world champion decided on June 30 in Japan. Twenty host sites - ten in Japan and ten in Korea - will be the setting for the matches. Of the 64 matches in total, 32 will be played in Korea and 32 in Japan. The opening match will be held in Seoul, Korea, while the final will be played in Yokohama, Japan. Other venues in Japan are Sapporo, Miyagi, Niigata, Ibaraki, Saitama, Shizuoka, Osaka, Kobe and Oita. Travel Tips: The best single source of travel information on Japan from the Department of State is our Country information Sheet, available on-line at travel.state.gov/japan.html. All Americans coming to Japan should be sure to read it. Some additional points to remember: You must have a valid U.S. passport (with at least six months validity), a return or onward air ticket and sufficient funds to enter Japan. Americans entering Japan for tourism who otherwise meet the stated criteria do not need a visa to enter Japan. Additional information is available via the Internet on the Embassy of Japan home page. Japan's cost of living is one of the highest in the world; for example, train fare from Yokohama to Osaka can run US$200 or more per person. The use of credit cards is not widespread, particularly outside major cities. While there are ATMs in Japan, most are not open 24 hours a day or do not accept a U.S.-based card. Taxi fares from airports to downtown Osaka and Tokyo can cost hundreds of dollars; bus fare can run US$25 or more. The airport departure fee is collected in Yen cash at Kansai Airport. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the U.S. Medical problems requiring hospitalization or medical evacuation can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000. Private U.S. citizens are ineligible for treatment at U.S. military hospitals. Please check with your insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Follow this link for a list of insurance companies that sell overseas health insurance policies: http://travel.state.gov/medical.html. While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's law. Japanese authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers with sophisticated detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs and other methods. Travelers and their luggage entering Japan are screened at Ports of Entry; incoming and outgoing mail is also checked carefully. The Japanese police make arrests for even the smallest amounts of illegal drugs. Given the number of people expected to travel to Japan for the World Cup, hotel facilities will likely be in short supply. Americans should not arrive at World Cup cities without confirmed hotel reservations, and should make transportation reservations as far in advance as possible. Accessing Consular Assistance: The American Embassy in Tokyo, and our Consulates throughout Japan, provide a range of services to Americans. Our areas of responsibility are divided up geographically, so depending on which city you are in, you'll need to contact the right office. Here's the breakdown by World Cup venue and match dates: Sapporo - http://www.worldcup-sapporo.com - June 1, 3, and 7. Americans are assisted by our Consulate in Sapporo. Travel time/cost from the Sapporo Dome stadium to the Consulate is approx. 30 minutes and Y280 one way. Miyagi - http://www.worldcup-miyagi.com/e/index.html - June 9, 12, and 18. Americans are assisted by our Consulate in Sapporo. Travel time/cost from Miyagi Stadium to the Consulate is approx. 5 hours and Y26,260 one way. Niigata - http://www.pref.niigata.jp/worldcup/ index-e.html - June 1, 3, and 15. Americans are assisted by the American Embassy in Tokyo. Travel time/cost from Niigata Stadium to the Embassy is approx. 3 hours and Y10,230 one way. Ibaraki - http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/prog/wldcup/ English/index.htm - June 2, 5, and 8. Americans are assisted by the American Embassy in Tokyo. Travel time/cost from Ibaraki Kashima Soccer Stadium to the Embassy is approx. 3 hours and Y3310 one way. Saitama - http://www.2002saitama.com/e_index.html - June 2, 4, and 6. Americans are assisted by the American Embassy in Tokyo. Travel time/cost from Saitama Stadium to the Embassy is approx. 1 hour and Y690 one way. Yokohama - http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/w-cup/ english/index.html - June 9, 11, 13, and 30. Americans are assisted by the American Embassy in Tokyo. Travel time/cost from Yokohama Kosusai Stadium to the Embassy is approx. 1 hour and Y530 one way. Shizuoka - http://www2.shizuokanet.ne.jp/worldcup - June 11,14, and 21 - Americans are assisted by the American Embassy in Tokyo. Travel time/cost from Shizuoka Stadium to the Embassy is approx. 3 hours and Y7610 one way. Osaka - http://www.city.osaka.jp/english/index.html - June 12, 14, and 22. Americans are assisted by our Consulate in Osaka. Travel time/cost from Nagai Rikujo Kyogijo stadium to the Consulate is approx. 40 minutes and Y270 one way. Kobe - http://www.city.kobe.jp/index-e.html - June 5, 7, and 17. Americans are assisted by our Consulate in Osaka. Travel time/cost from Kobe Wing Stadium to the Consulate is approx. 50 minutes and Y620 one way. Oita - http://www.pref.oita.jp/10200/english/ index.htm - June 10, 13, and 16. Americans are assisted by our Consulate in Fukuoka. Travel time/cost from Oita Sports Park stadium to the Consulate by train is approx. 7 hours and Y20,200 one way. Plane fare is Y39,000 one way. Accommodation: Hotel reservations may be through regular hotel chain reservation systems, or through a number of organizations set up specifically for the World Cup. Here are some options to consider: 2002 FIFA World Cup Accommodation Bureau (WCAB) Computer House, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme Cheshire SK8 7GA, England Tel: +44 161 486 5701 Fax:+44 161 486 5702 www.fifa-hotels.com, Email: sales@fifa-hotels.com 2002 FIFA World Cup Accommodation Bureau Japan (WCABJ) 2nd Floor, Shin-Yurakucho Bldg., Yurakucho 1-12-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 100-0006 Tel: +81 3 5208 5030 Fax:+81 3 5208 5039, E-mail: sales.japan@fifa-hotels.com To reserve budget hotels and inns in Japan, try also the Welcome Inn Reservation Center. www.itcj.or.jp. Transportation: Japan's transportation system is modern, extensive and at times, quite costly. Round trip bullet train (shinkansen) travel from Tokyo to Osaka, for example, costs about US$250. Air travel costs are similar. In addition, given the numbers of people who will come to Japan for the World Cup, train and air reservations will be difficult to arrange after arriving in Japan. Americans are advised to make travel arrangements in advance. One possible help would be the purchase of a Japan Rail Pass. This pass can only be purchased outside of Japan. Details, including bullet train schedules and costs, are available from Japan Rail. Driving in Japan: Driving in Japan is quite complicated and expensive. You must have an International Driver's License with you when you arrive in Japan to be able to drive here. You cannot drive using a U.S. state license. You cannot obtain an International Driver's License after arriving in Japan. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls are assessed at about $1 (US) per mile. Gas costs about four times as much as in the U.S. City traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no roadside parking. Roads in Japan are much narrower than those in the United States. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. Vehicular traffic moves on the left. Turns at red lights are forbidden unless specifically authorized. Japanese law provides that all persons who drive in Japan are held liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Drivers stopped for driving under the influence will have their licenses confiscated. New laws passed in late 2001 make persons found guilty of drunken, speeding or blatantly careless driving that results in death subject to up to 15 years in prison, tripling the previous maximum sentence. Japanese police, under these new laws, will also be permitted to contact financial institutions directly to determine an offender's financial status to combat evasion of payment for traffic violations. If you are involved in a car accident your departure from Japan may be delayed pending a resolution of the accident. The National Police Agency (NPA) oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws. Further information in English is available on the NPA's web site at www.npa.go.jp. An international driving permit issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan. International driving permits are not issued by the U.S. Embassy or by its consulates, and they must be obtained prior to arriving in Japan. Prohibited Items Inside World Cup Stadiums: The Japanese Police have informed us that the following items are prohibited inside World Cup stadiums: glass bottles, cans, explosives, umbrellas and parasols, whistles, laser pointers, knives, hammers, flags on poles/rods, alcohol, helmets or hard hats Police Tips for Smooth Entry into World Cup Matches: While the vast majority of fans will travel to Japan to enjoy the World Cup, the Japanese Police warn that they will vigorously enforce the law to ensure all fans may watch the matches safely. People attending matches should arrive early, as baggage and body checks will be carried out. The police ask that you carry only a minimal amount of personal belongings with you to speed the security checks, and that you do not bring large or bulky items with you. Gates will open 150 minutes prior to the start of matches. Important Safety Tips from the Police: Tickets are issued to a specific person, whose name must appear on the ticket. Be sure to carry clear photo ID with you, and be prepared to present it at security checkpoints when requested (note that Japanese law requires all foreigners to have with them at all times either their passport or a Japanese Alien Registration card issued to long-term residents in Japan). Tickets may not be resold. No one is allowed to arrive at the stadiums in a personal vehicle. There will be no public parking available. Persons may not throw things onto the pitch, or at other spectators. They may not run out on to the pitch or enter areas in the stadium marked as out of bounds. Persons may not engage in threatening, insulting or provocative behaviors. People who become intoxicated, or seek to enter matches already intoxicated, will not be allowed to watch the match. The police warn that violators will be refused entry to the match, possibly banned from other matches in Japan or arrested and deported from Japan.