United States of America / USA (mainland) travel advisories

Alert regarding chikungunya fever

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● Chikungunya fever, which causes symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and rash, is prevalent in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
● Chikungunya fever is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the chikungunya virus, so in the above areas please be sure to take the preventive measures described below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Zika virus infection alert (updated)

Nov. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

● The number of cases of Zika virus infection, which causes symptoms such as fever and rash and can result in congenital disorders such as microcephaly in fetuses, has decreased globally since 2017, but infections continue to occur, albeit in small numbers, in Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
● Zika virus infection is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, so if you are in the above areas, please be sure to take the preventive measures listed below in 1(4), such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent spray.
● If you suspect you have been infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Lifting of infectious disease risk information for Mpox

Sept. 12, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)

●The infectious disease risk information level 1 (take extreme caution) regarding Mpox issued for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic will be lifted.
●Sporadical infections are still being seen around the world, so please stay up to date on the infection situation in your destination and take measures to prevent infection.

[Notice] Telephone line outage due to planned power outage in the building where our hotel is located (11/21-23)

Nov. 22, 2025, 7:15 a.m.

For other consular services, please check our website and if you have any questions, please contact us by email.
●Consular information: https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00471.html
●Inquiry email address: ryoji@ny.mofa.go.jp

Furthermore, telephone scams appear to be on the rise again recently. Please be sure to check the following warnings on our website once again, and if you receive a suspicious call, please hang up the phone and take appropriate action, such as consulting a family member, friend, or the police.
Types of fraud, overview and countermeasures https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/News_110824.html

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

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Consulate-General of Japan in New York
299 Park Avenue 18th Floor, New York, NY 10171
TEL:(+1)212-371-8222
HP: https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
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■Various applications and procedures, safety measures, overseas child education, and lifestyle information https://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00471.html
■ Changes to your "Residence Notification," returning to your home country, or moving out https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/residencereport/login
■ Concerns about living abroad and family issues (loneliness and isolation consultation services, support groups for victims of domestic violence, etc.)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/ca/ha/page22_001736.html
■ Changing or stopping email delivery (for those who have registered for Tabi-Regi)
(Change) https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/auth
(Stop) https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete

[Warning] Scam phone calls claiming to be from the Japanese Embassy, Consulate General, etc.

Nov. 22, 2025, 4:25 a.m.

1. Overview of cases reported to the Consulate-General of Japan We have received multiple reports of fraudulent phone calls from people claiming to be employees of Japanese government agencies such as the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General, police, or banks, demanding money or personal information.
(1) Case 1
A person claiming to be an employee of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles said, "Your phone number has been used for a crime. The Japanese police have contacted you, so please come to the consulate immediately," and "This is a police matter, so please come to this address immediately." They also asked for personal information, saying, "If you cannot come to the office immediately, we will verify your identity by phone, and then confirm and inform you of any contact information from the police."
(2) Case 2
The main telephone number or area code (202, 213, etc.) of the embassy or consulate general is displayed on the recipient's phone, and the caller, claiming to be an embassy or consulate general employee, instructs the recipient to file a complaint with the Japanese police, claiming that their personal information has been used for a crime.The call is then forwarded, and the caller is then asked for personal information or money by a person posing as a police officer.
(3) Case 3
Individuals claiming to be from the police, banks, or credit card companies may tell the victim that "your account information has been used for a crime. Your name is on the suspect list in an investigation into a large criminal organization," or "if you continue like this, you will be arrested and detained for a long time," and then demand a large sum of money in the name of bail.

2. To prevent yourself or someone close to you from becoming a victim: (1) If you are asked for money or personal information for reasons you do not recognize, please assume that it is highly likely a scam. Do not easily believe it, even if it is in Japanese.
(2) If you receive such a suspicious phone call, hang up the phone and consult with someone around you without worrying.
(3) Japanese public institutions will never demand money in the name of taxes, fines, or bail without following proper procedures, nor will they ask for personal information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, or passport numbers over the phone.
(4) Even if the caller claims to be from an institution with a high level of social credibility, try to remain calm and never provide money (bank transfers, etc.) or personal information (credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.) even if instructed by the other party.
(5) In some cases, the main telephone number of an embassy or consulate general may be displayed on the recipient's mobile phone screen. Even if the phone number is of a real institution, it may be a false number displayed by a fraud group, so do not believe it easily.
(6) Please share the information about these types of frauds with as many people as possible and urge them to be careful.

3. If you are a victim If you are a victim, you can help prevent secondary damage by reporting and contacting the following immediately.
(1) Contact your bank or credit card company. If you have provided your bank account number or credit card information, please contact the bank or credit card company and take measures such as suspending use.
(2) Report the fraud to the FBI
By filing a report and keeping a record of your fraud victimization, you can assist criminal investigations.
https://www.ic3.gov/
(3) Report to the nearest police station and obtain a police report. To prove that you have been victimized, report to the nearest police station and obtain a police report.
(4) Other places to report fraud: By reporting, a record of the fraud will be kept, information will be shared within the U.S. government, and it will help prevent secondary damage caused by identity theft, etc.
A. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=A)
IRS Internal Revenue Service (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft)
(5) Obtaining a credit report Credit information is information that indicates an individual's "ability to pay" and "reliability in repayment." In the United States, you can check your credit report once a year for free at the following website. Please regularly check to see if your credit information is being used fraudulently, such as to see if any debts or credit cards have been opened in your name that you are unaware of.
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
(6) Credit freeze (freezing of credit information)
A credit freeze is a measure that prevents third parties from accessing your credit information. By freezing your credit information, you will be unable to apply for new credit cards, take out loans for homes or cars, or enter into rental contracts, so if your personal information becomes known to criminal organizations due to a crime, it can prevent fraudulent contracts through identity theft.
Please note that you will need to complete the process for a credit freeze with all three of the companies listed below, but you can easily lift the freeze online or via the app.
A. TransUnion (https://www.transunion.com)
B. Experian (https://www.experian.com/consumer-products/free-credit-report.html)
C. Equifax (https://www.equifax.com/)
(7) Consultations regarding Social Security Numbers If your Social Security number has been known to a fraud group and has been used fraudulently, and you have become a victim of fraud, please contact us at the following number.
・Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/)
(TEL: 800-772-1213)

4. Related information Please take this opportunity to review the warnings regarding special fraud posted on our website below.
https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/m03_01_01.htm

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◇ Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles ◇
Address: 350 South Grand Ave., Suite 1700, Los Angeles CA 90071
Phone: 213-617-6700
Consular Security Team e-mail: ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
*Please use the online residence notification system (ORR Net) to submit a residence notification, change notification, or return/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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[Warning] Chicago Night Parade

Nov. 20, 2025, 2:55 a.m.

[Main text]
1. On Saturday, November 22nd, the night parade "THE WINTRUST MAGNIFICENT MILE LIGHTS FESTIVAL" will be held on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.
The parade is scheduled to start at 5:30 PM and proceed south down Michigan Avenue to the Chicago River, after which fireworks will begin at 7:15 PM. Heavy congestion is expected along Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, and traffic restrictions will be in place in various locations. If you are planning to visit Chicago, please be sure to check traffic restrictions and other related information in advance.
2. It is also said that events where large numbers of people gather are more likely to be targets of terrorist attacks and more likely to be the occurrence of various crimes.
Japanese residents and travelers alike are asked to make every effort to obtain the latest information from local security agencies such as the police and event organizer websites, and to be mindful of their surroundings. If you notice any suspicious situations, people behaving suspiciously, or any suspicious objects, please leave the area immediately and make your own safety your top priority.
In addition, please be sure to prepare for unforeseen circumstances on a daily basis, such as by discussing with family and friends a system for checking on each other's safety in case of an emergency.

For more information about the parade, please see the following website:
https://www.themagnificentmile.com/lights-festival?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12243563010&gclid=CjwKCAiA8vXIBhAtEiwAf3B-g6x_OLYki1cJRflAe6WEO_wntrdVIp1DBu-TngN81mvbBqrRtmXXZhoCU20QAvD_BwE


*Please share this information with your friends and fellow travelers.
*This email is automatically sent to the email address you provided in your residence notification and the email address you registered with Tabi-Regi. If you have registered with Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the instructions at the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*If you have submitted a "Notification of Residence" and have returned to your home country or moved to another country (state), please submit a Notification of Return or Movement from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/residencereport/login

[Contact information]
Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
Tel: (312) 280-0400 (24 hours)
Fax: (312) 280-9568
Email: ryoji1@cg.mofa.go.jp

Caution: Preventing special fraud

Nov. 19, 2025, 1:05 a.m.

[Main text]
1. Overview of the Special Fraud Cases Recently, several special fraud cases involving Japanese nationals have occurred within the jurisdiction of our embassy. The overview of the cases is as follows:
(1) Incident 1
One day, the victim received a phone call purporting to be from a "credit card company employee," "FBI agent," "prosecutor," etc. The caller continued to stir up anxiety by explaining to the victim, "Your name is on the suspect list in an investigation into a large criminal organization," and "If you continue like this, you will be arrested and detained for a long time." The victim was then asked to consolidate their funds into one account and ultimately convert the entire amount into virtual currency as a necessary procedure for a quick resolution.
During phone conversations with the victim, the other party reportedly asked the victim not to tell anyone, including family, as there was a high possibility of retaliation from the criminal organization, and to contact them regularly every day to check on their safety and update them on their current situation.
(2) Incident 2
The victim received a phone call from someone pretending to be a "local court official," who incited anxiety by telling them, "You will be indicted because you did not participate in the trial despite being selected as a juror." The caller then asked the victim to pay the violation fee at an ATM machine located in a designated office in order to quickly resolve the matter.
Here too, the other party asked the victim to "keep the phone connected" and "go to the designated location now to complete the procedure."

2 Tips for avoiding victimization (1) Consult a scammer Fraud methods are becoming more complex and sophisticated every year, with scammers using various methods to gain the victim's trust and then scam money out of them. In the past, there have been reports of romance scams using matching apps and phishing scams disguised as online shopping. Please do not let your guard down and think, "I won't be fooled, so it's okay."
One effective way to prevent this type of special fraud is for a third party, including family members, to make a calm judgment. If you are told something you don't remember, please investigate it yourself, confirm the veracity of the story with the authorities, and consult with family and friends, etc., and act carefully. Past cases have shown that criminal organizations tend to try to control the movements and thoughts of their victims by "leaving the phone connected," "making regular contact (behavior checks) even after hanging up," and "demanding early (immediate) action."
If the other party tells you not to consult with anyone, you should suspect a scam.
Criminal organizations ask for "payment in money," "payment in cryptocurrency," "payment in gold or silver (by mail to a designated location)," and also pressure people to "share passwords for bank accounts or cryptocurrency apps." Before making or sharing these payments, please think "Is it really okay?" and consult with someone.
(2) Research it yourself. It is also common for the phone number displayed on the incoming call screen to be spoofed. Even if the caller claims to be an official from an authority or a Japanese government employee, do not easily trust them, and do not easily trust the phone number, address, or forwarding number they specify. If possible, ask them to tell you their organization, address, and phone number so that you can call them back yourself, and then check for yourself whether the organization in question actually exists and whether the phone number and address are correct.

3. Contacting the Embassy If you encounter a case that is suspected to be a special fraud, please contact the Embassy.

[Related information]
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) website: Common Frauds and Scams
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams

Consulate General of Japan in Nashville
1801 West End Avenue, suite 900
Nashville, TN 37203
615-340-4300
Website: https://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html

*If you have submitted a "Residence Notification" and have changed your household, address, returned to your home country, or moved to one of our jurisdiction states (AR, KY, LA, MS, TN), please submit a change, return to your home country, or moving out notification via the URL below.
https://www.nashville.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/zairyutodoke.html

* In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, we ask that you please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to submit a residence notification (for stays of three months or more) or register for Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than three months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible. You can submit a residence notification or register for Tabi-Regi at the following URL.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/

Storm-related flooding and landslide warnings for Southern California

Nov. 14, 2025, 9:35 a.m.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), storms are expected to affect a wide area of Southern California from Friday, the 14th, through the weekend, and flood warnings have been issued in some areas.
For the latest weather forecast for your area, please visit the NWS website.
(NWS: National Weather Service)
https://www.weather.gov/lox/
(Enter your ZIP code in the search field at the top left of the screen to find information from the weather bureau that has jurisdiction over your area.)

2 In addition, evacuation warnings have been issued in some areas affected by wildfires, particularly the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire this year, due to the high risk of landslides and other disasters.

3. Japanese residents and travelers in Southern California should ensure their safety by obtaining the latest information from local governments and media outlets regarding upcoming rain and flooding. If an evacuation order is issued, please follow the instructions of the authorities and act promptly. When evacuating, please take sufficient precautions, such as avoiding areas near rivers and roads prone to flooding.

4. In preparation for unforeseen circumstances, always check evacuation methods and routes and be ready to take action to protect your life at any time. After a disaster occurs, it is expected that there will be power outages, water outages, and shortages of fuel for cars and generators, so please prepare in advance.

[Reference links]
● Los Angeles County Evacuation Information (Map)
https://lacounty.gov/emergency/

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◇ Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles ◇
Address: 350 South Grand Ave., Suite 1700, Los Angeles CA 90071
Phone: 213-617-6700
Consular Security Team e-mail: ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
*Please use the online residence notification system (ORR Net) to submit a residence notification, change notification, or return/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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Flight reductions at major U.S. airports

Nov. 9, 2025, 10:45 a.m.

1. In light of the impact of the federal government shutdown and in order to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will reduce flights at 40 major airports in the U.S. by 10% by November 14th. (International flights are not currently subject to the reduction in flights.)

2. In Southern California and Arizona, which are under the jurisdiction of the Consulate, flights departing from and arriving at the following airports are eligible.
Southern California:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Arizona:
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

3. In light of the FAA announcement, each airline is making decisions to reduce or cancel flights. As a result, we cannot rule out the possibility of sudden flight cancellations in the future, so if you have travel or business trips planned, please consider planning your trips with ample time, regularly check flight schedules, and if there are any changes, promptly contact the relevant airline to discuss changing your flight.

4. In addition, security check procedures at airports are taking longer than usual due to a shortage of staff, etc. Furthermore, check-in counters may be crowded due to procedures related to flight reductions and cancellations, so if you are planning to fly, please make sure to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

(reference)
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-faa-administrator-bryan-bedford-outline-series

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◇ Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles ◇
Address: 350 South Grand Ave., Suite 1700, Los Angeles CA 90071
Phone: 213-617-6700
Consular Security Team e-mail: ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
*Please use the online residence notification system (ORR Net) to submit a residence notification, change notification, or return/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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