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Welcome to the March newsletter!
Upcoming Holidays and ACS Office Closures The Embassy and Consulates will be closed for the following holidays:
A full list of all of our holiday closings is online here. American citizens who require emergency assistance during holidays should contact the office serving their part of Japan. If you do come to see us at the Embassy in Tokyo, note that we have two lines to enter the building; a (usually) longer line for visa applicants and a much shorter line for customers coming for American Citizen Services help. Check the signs by the Embassy entrance, which will direct you to the appropriate line. We use a computerized customer ticketing system; upon entering the Consular section, you can select the type of service you require (e.g. Passport, Notary, etc.) and wait in the ACS Waiting Room for your number to be called.
Security Situation In light of recent events and the upcoming G8 summit, the U.S. Embassy asks all Americans in Japan to review their personal security practices and to report any unusual activities to local authorities. The Government of Japan maintains heightened security measures at key facilities and ports of entry as counter-terrorism precautions linked to the increased tensions in the Middle East. The January 17, 2008 Worldwide Caution Public Announcement we distributed via this channel remains in effect. Please view the full text online here. You can always read the most current information online here. Since our last newsletter, the Department of State has issued ten new Travel Warnings (Nepal, Serbia, Chad, Timor-Leste, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Afghanistan, and Colombia) and five Travel Alerts (Cameroon, Guyana, Zimbabwe, Mali, and Tajikistan). Please review them online here. The most up-to-date information regarding permitted and prohibited items on flights can be viewed online here. For additional information, please visit "Americans Traveling Abroad" on the State Dept. website. To obtain up-to-date information on security conditions, call 1-888-407-4747 (toll free in the United States), or 1-202-501-4444 if you are in Canada or outside the United States.
DHS' Traveler Redress Inquiry Program On February 21, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its launch of the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). TRIP offers legitimate travelers a central online location to address concerns and seek relief from screening-related difficulties they may have experienced during their travel to and from the U.S. This may include being:
Travelers seeking redress may file a complaint online and track its status by using the control number assigned to their inquiry. TRIP is run by DHS' Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and routes received requests to the appropriate DHS components, which include Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. To learn more about TRIP, please go to this page on the Internet.
Economic Stimulus Payments Information President Bush signed an economic stimulus bill on February 13th which will result in stimulus payments to over 130 million individuals starting in May 2008. The following is the text of an IRS fact sheet which provides more details and eligibility information regarding the stimulus payments. Some low-income workers and recipients of Social Security, certain veterans' benefits and certain Railroad Retirement benefits may qualify for economic stimulus payments this year from the federal government. In most cases, payments will range from $300 to $600 for individuals and $600 to $1200 for joint filers. Taxpayers may receive $300 for each qualifying child. Most taxpayers do not need to take any extra steps to receive the payment beginning in early May. But there are some exceptions. Individuals who might not otherwise be required to file a 2007 tax return will need to file a return this year to receive the stimulus payment. However, some people may need to amend a previously filed tax return to include benefits to reach the $3,000 qualifying income level. Adding these benefits on an amended tax return will not increase an individual's tax liability but will establish eligibility for the stimulus payment. Individuals who need to file a return this year to receive a stimulus payment may be able to take advantage of thousands of free tax preparation sites all over the United States or low-income and elderly taxpayers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides help to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. Call 1-800-906-9887 to locate the nearest VITA site. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program at more than 7,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. To find an AARP Tax Aide site call 1-888-227-7669 or visit the AARP Web site. For the full text of this notice and additional information regarding this and other IRS issues, please go to this web site.
The IRS is Coming to Town If you are interested in meeting with the IRS taxpayer assistor at the Embassy, please make an appointment by phone by calling 03-3224-5174 starting on March 3. The IRS representative will be here on March 21, 24 and 25. Please note that this service is only available to American Citizens. In addition to one-on-one meetings, our visiting Tax Assistor has also agreed to present a tax seminar, where she will address topics of concern frequently raised by American taxpayers living overseas. This seminar will take place in the Embassy auditorium on Monday March 24, from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to FBUTokyo@state.gov with the following information:
Please note that space is limited. We encourage you to RSVP as soon as possible. Additional details will be sent to you by e-mail after you RSVP.
Voting: Public Voting Assistance Workshop on March 14, 2008 The U.S. Embassy will host a Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Voting Assistance Workshop for American citizens living in Japan that are interested in helping fellow citizens with the voting process. The workshop is an interactive, hands-on training session with the participants asking questions and making comments as the workshop progresses. The workshop's goal is to provide critical information, resources, and tools for anyone who wishes to act as a voting assistance officer overseas. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please RSVP to VoteTokyo@state.gov with the following information:
Please note that space is limited. We encourage you to RSVP as soon as possible. Additional details will be sent to you by e-mail after you RSVP.
Voting: Louisiana to Hold Two Special Elections on March 8, 2008 On Saturday, March 8, 2008 there will be two special primary elections in the state of Louisiana.
The first closed primary on March 8, 2008 will be in the 1st Congressional District of Louisiana to fill the seat for Representative Jindal who resigned in order to become Governor of Louisiana. The 1st Congressional District includes the parishes of Jefferson (part), Orleans (part), St. Charles (part), St. Tammany (all), Tanigpahoa (all), and Washington (all). The second closed primary on March 8, 2008 will be in the 6th Congressional District of Louisiana to fill the seat for Representative Baker, which is currently vacant. The 6th Congressional District includes the parishes of Ascension (part), East Baton Rouge (all), East Feliciana (all), Iberville (part), Livingston (all), Pointe Coupee (part), St. Helena (all), West Baton Rouge (all), and West Feliciana (all). To determine if your legal residence is in the 1st or 6th Congressional District, please go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website, where you can click on "Communicating with Your Elected Officials" then "Who is my Representative?" All members of the U.S. Uniformed Services, their family members and citizens residing outside the U.S. who are Louisiana residents from the 1st and 6th Districts should request a ballot for this special primary election by completing and submitting a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), SF-76, as soon as possible, if you have not done so already in calendar year 2008. The online version of the FPCA is available from the FVAP website. Specific instructions for Louisiana are available on this online page (PDF). Voters who are Louisiana residents from the 1st or 6th District and have already requested a ballot for the Presidential and State Primary on February 9, 2008 will automatically receive this ballot, and need not take any further action. The Parish Registrar of Voters must receive request for absentee ballot not later than Friday, March 7, 2008. Louisiana allows Uniformed Services and overseas citizen voters to send the FPCA for ballot request by fax. After faxing, submit the original FPCA by mail. Use the following toll-free fax numbers for the U.S. and Canada: 1-800-368-8683, (703) 693-5527 or DSN 223-5527 (military). At this online site, there is a list of additional toll-free fax numbers from overseas countries. Louisiana allows you to receive the blank ballot by fax. When returned, your ballot will be counted if it arrives at the appropriate Parish Registrar of Voters not later than the close of polls on March 8, 2008. Louisiana allows return of the voted ballot by fax. The message must contain a scanned copy of your signature on a waiver of ballot secrecy. A transmittal sheet meeting this requirement is available on this page online (PDF). State specific information on your precinct, candidates, elections, and voting is available at the Louisiana Secretary of State website, www.geauxvote.com.
Voting: Indiana to Hold Special Congressional Primary Elections On Tuesday, March 11, 2008 there will be a special election in the 7th Congressional District of Indiana to fill the seat of Representative Julia M. Carson. Voters from the 7th District who already requested a ballot for the Presidential and State Primary on May 6, 2008 will receive this ballot, and need not take further action. The Marion County Board of Voter Registration must receive request for absentee ballot not later than Monday, March 3, 2008. Voters may send the FPCA for ballot request by fax. After faxing, submit the original FPCA by mail. On this online page, there is a list of toll-free fax numbers you may use. Indiana allows voters to receive the blank ballot by fax. Indiana allows you to receive the blank ballot by electronic mail through the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Electronic Transmission Service, ets@fvap.ncr.gov. When returned, your ballot will be counted if it arrives at the appropriate board of elections not later than noon, March 11, 2008 for military voters in the U.S., and by noon on March 21, 2008 for voters outside the U.S., if postmarked by election day. Indiana allows return of the voted ballot by fax, or by electronic mail through the Federal Voting Assistance Program's Electronic Transmission Service, ets@fvap.ncr.gov. The message must contain a scanned copy of your signature on a waiver of ballot secrecy. A transmittal sheet meeting this requirement is available on this page online (PDF). State specific information on your precinct, candidates, elections, and voting is available at the Indiana Election Division website.
Update on the NOVA Bankruptcy Situation According to the Bankruptcy Administrator, who is negotiating with the Japan Labor Health and Welfare Organization, reimbursement forms will be sent to former instructors by early March this year. Claimants should receive the unpaid salary they are untitled to on the bank account they designated within about a month after returning the form to the Labor Organization. If claimants do not receive the letter and forms by March 5, they can send a fax to the Administrator at +81-6-6360-6766 with their Nova ID number, current mailing address, and telephone/fax numbers. For your information, the Administrator's office address is as follows:
Office of Trustees in Bankruptcy Bankrupt Company Nova Corp. Nishitenma Asahi Bldg. 2nd Floor 1-10-14 Nishitenma, Kita-ku Osaka 530-0047 JapanMore information about reclaiming the unpaid salary payments is available on the Nova web site at www.nova.ne.jp.
Useful Websites for Americans living in Osaka Prefecture The disaster information center of the Osaka prefectural government maintains a disaster prevention website, available in English here. Those who visit the site can register to receive email updates in English in case of emergency. The international relations division of the prefectural government also provides the Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents (OIS). Inquiries are taken by phone or email, and may frequently asked questions are posted in English on the OIS website which can be accessed at this online site.
Update: Avian/Pandemic Influenza – Prepare and Stay Healthy The U.S. Government recently updated guidance to Americans living, working and/or traveling overseas about how to prepare for a pandemic. Private American citizens should be aware that it may not be possible to travel during an outbreak. Governments may close borders suddenly and without advance warning; commercial air, land and sea carriers could curtail or cancel service; and restricting travel may be the best way to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. These developments could impede a return to the United States or travel to another country or region. Therefore, Americans who are overseas during a pandemic may need to remain where they are until conditions improve, a situation which could last several months. For further information, please see this online site. To date, there have been no reported cases of human or animal outbreaks of H5N1 Avian Influenza in Japan; however, Americans overseas should be prepared to take responsibility for their safety and well-being. Please remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities lack the legal authority, capability and resources to dispense medications, vaccines, or medical care to private American citizens overseas. For information updated daily as well as excellent planning checklists for home, workplace, school, etc. please visit www.pandemicflu.gov.
Someone Asked the Consul About: Driving In Japan For those of us who are new to Japan, here is a very thorough, although unofficial, guide to various Japanese rules of the road. It was prepared by the U.S. military in Japan and can be accessed at this online address (MS-Word format). We found the following site with a compilation of Japanese road signs to be a useful reference tool. We also encourage you to read our web page dedicated to driving in Japan.
Leaving Japan? If you are departing from Japan after a long stay here, and you formally registered your stay with the Embassy or closest U.S. consulate, please be sure to "cancel" your registration when you leave. You can deregister yourself by visiting the travelregistration.state.gov site. You may also want to consider unsubscribing from the newsletter mailing list. Please see the instructions on how to accomplish this below.
Unsubscribing We make every attempt to include in our newsletter information of real value. We know that should world events dictate, we can use this email channel to get important information to you, as we did in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. That said, if you are leaving Japan or otherwise wish to unsubscribe from this list you can unsubscribe by writing from the same email address you used to subscribe, and send a blank email to:
leave-tokyoacs@mh.databack.comIf you need to receive these newsletters at a different email address, unsubscribe first, using the old address, and subscribe again from the new address.
Contact us:
American Embassy in Tokyo The Embassy helps Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.
American Consulate General Sapporo The Consulate in Sapporo helps Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi. As there are times when both officers are away from the office, we ask that you make an appointment before coming to the Consulate General.
American Consulate Nagoya Consulate Nagoya provides emergency consular services including death and arrest cases for Americans living in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures. Please call Nagoya or Osaka for confirmation before traveling to Nagoya if you believe you have an emergency situation. Routine American Citizen services are provided by appointment only. If an appointment is not available, American residents may also receive service at the Consulate in Osaka.
American Consulate General Osaka-Kobe The Consulate in Osaka helps Americans in Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama.
American Consulate Fukuoka The Consulate in Fukuoka helps Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi.
American Consulate General Naha The Consulate in Naha helps Americans in Okinawa and the Amami Oshima Island group (which is the southern island group of Kagoshima Prefecture). Travel, safety and security information is also available directly from the Department of State.
Inclusion of Non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents. This subscription list is maintained by a private company and the U.S. Government cannot guarantee the privacy of any e-mail address.
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