COVID-19 risks
Oct. 19, 2022, midnight
In light of the general improvement in the global infection situation and the fact that the G7 countries have already canceled the designation of levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information was issued on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).
Aug. 24, 2022, midnight
On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).
July 25, 2022, midnight
On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern." According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.
July 1, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
May 26, 2022, midnight
Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.
April 1, 2022, midnight
The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.
Nov. 29, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.
Nov. 29, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.
Aug. 13, 2021, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
May 18, 2021, midnight
Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".
Oct. 30, 2020, midnight
As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.
Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates
Information from the past two weeks.
Table of contents
- Nov. 16, 2024, 4:56 a.m. Beware of scams involving people impersonating customs officials or police officers
- Nov. 16, 2024, 4:26 a.m. [Warning] Beware of phone calls from individuals claiming to be Japanese customs officials
- Nov. 15, 2024, 8:47 a.m. [Warning] Types of special fraud, overview and countermeasures
- Nov. 15, 2024, 8:16 a.m. [Warning] (Occurrence of attempted fraud cases) Attempted fraud cases involving people posing as Japanese customs officials or police officers
- Nov. 13, 2024, 11:56 a.m. Notice regarding the resumption of Consulate-General operations
- Nov. 13, 2024, 6:11 a.m. Warning regarding approaching tropical depression (COR1 issued and temporary closure of Consulate General) (3rd report)
Beware of scams involving people impersonating customs officials or police officers
Nov. 16, 2024, 4:56 a.m.
[Main text]
1. Case summary (1) You receive a phone call in Japanese from a person claiming to be a Japanese customs official who tells you, "Prohibited drugs have been found in a package you sent, and if you have no recollection of it, you will need to file a police report." (At this point, the caller may already know your address and name.)
(2) They try to motivate victims to file a complaint by saying things like, "If you do not file a complaint, you will be deported to Japan or your passport will be revoked," and urge them to file a complaint.
(3) Your call is transferred to a person claiming to be a police officer. When you begin talking to this person about filing a crime report, they will tell you things like, "Your personal information may be misused in other ways," or "Your credit card may be used by a fraud group to launder money." Multiple people will work together to slowly build up your anxiety, in an attempt to extract information from you such as your credit card, bank account, and other personal information.
2. How to avoid becoming a victim (1) If you are asked to provide personal information or money for something you do not recognize, be suspicious of a scam.
(2) Customs officials, police officers, and consulate officials will never demand money or ask for credit card information over the phone.
(3) If the person on the other end of the phone claims to be a customs official, police officer, consulate official, etc., confirm in detail the caller's department and rank, hang up the phone, and then call back after researching the matter online or elsewhere to confirm the facts (if you call back to the number specified by the caller, the call may be connected to an accomplice).
(4) Do not become complacent thinking that you will not be deceived. Be extremely cautious and, if you receive a suspicious phone call, consult with people around you. Also, please spread the word to your acquaintances that similar scam attempts have recently occurred in the United States.
Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Phipps Tower Suite 850
3438 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
TEL: (404) 240‐4300
EMAIL: ryoji@aa.mofa.go.jp
[Warning] Beware of phone calls from individuals claiming to be Japanese customs officials
Nov. 16, 2024, 4:26 a.m.
[Main text]
1. There have been cases of scams in various parts of the United States by individuals claiming to be Japanese customs officials or police officers attempting to steal personal information, such as credit card numbers, or money from people.
2. Japanese residents receive a call in Japanese on their mobile phone from someone claiming to be a Japanese customs official. The call says, "Illegal drugs have been found in the luggage you have sent. If you do not appear by today, you will be deported to Japan or your passport will be revoked." If the person replies that they cannot appear, they will be connected to someone claiming to be a police officer from the Tokyo Airport Police Station, who will question them further.
3. In the cases that our Embassy has been aware of, the call was hung up at this stage, so no actual damage occurred. However, in other cities there have been confirmed cases where people have tried to extract credit card numbers or where individuals claiming to be embassy or consulate staff have answered the phone.
4. Japanese customs officials, police officers, embassy staff, consulate staff, etc. will never threaten deportation or the expiration of your passport over the phone, or ask for your credit card number.
If you receive such a call, please assume that there is a very high possibility that it is a scam, hang up the phone immediately, and remain calm by consulting with a family member or acquaintance or reporting the call to the police.
Fraudulent methods are becoming more complex and sophisticated every year, and scammers will repeatedly say things that are designed to make you feel uneasy, but you should never provide personal information such as credit card numbers or make bank transfers.
5. If you have provided money or personal information, please immediately report the matter to the police and consult with them, then contact the Embassy.
[Related Information]
Our website: Impersonation scams: Beware of financial demands from individuals claiming to be police officers
https://www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00665.html
○Customs website: Please beware of suspicious phone calls, emails and bank transfer scams claiming to be from the customs office
https://www.customs.go.jp/news/news/oshirase/caution201203.htm
Metropolitan Police Department website: Police officer impersonation scams https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kurashi/tokushu/police_officer.html
○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
[Contact Information]
Consular Section, Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
TEL: 617-973-9772, FAX: 617-542-1329
http://www.boston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
[Warning] Types of special fraud, overview and countermeasures
Nov. 15, 2024, 8:47 a.m.
[Main text]
1. In August of this year (2024), we notified you about scams in the jurisdiction of our Embassy in Japan posing as bank or police officers. Recently, we have received multiple reports of people receiving phone calls from individuals posing as Japanese customs officials, stating in Japanese that "you have been involved in a crime," and demanding money or personal information.
2. Special fraud methods are becoming more sophisticated and complex every year, with fraud groups dividing up roles and using various methods to deceive victims and steal their personal information and money. Recently, not only the elderly but also people of a wide range of ages have been falling victim to these frauds, so do not be complacent and think "I won't be deceived, so it's okay," but be on your guard at all times.
3. The following fraud methods have been reported to the Embassy:
(1) They pretend to be Japanese customs officials and ask for your name, address, and date of birth in Japanese (the other party may also ask for the name and address of the person who answered the phone to confirm the information).
(2) They claim that "the package sent in your name contains illegal drugs. You need to report this to the police," and then tell you that they will transfer your call.
(3) The phone call is then connected to the police, and a person claiming to be a police officer tells you, "Your account is involved in a money laundering case. We will conduct an online investigation." They then ask you for the details of your personal bank accounts.
(4) You are then told, "In order to prove your innocence, we will consult with the prosecutor and then contact you."
4. Measures to avoid becoming a victim
Bank officials, police officers, customs officials, and embassies and consulates will never threaten arrest or deportation or ask for money.
The identity the criminal will claim to be over the phone will vary from time to time, such as a "bank employee," "police officer," or "customs official," but in any case, if you are asked for money or personal information for something you do not recognize, it is highly likely a scam and you should respond calmly.
(1) If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up and call the number the caller claims to be calling directly to confirm the facts. (Even if the phone number displayed on the incoming call screen is correct, do not trust it easily. There are cases where the displayed number is disguised.)
(2) Even if instructed to do so by the other party, never provide money (bank account information, etc.) or personal information (credit card number, social security number, etc.).
(3) Do not post your personal information on the Internet, including on social media.
If you receive a suspicious phone call or, in the unlikely event that you have provided money or personal information, please immediately report it to the police and consult with them, and then contact our museum.
[Related Information]
○Our website: [Warning] Telephone scams (special frauds) in which people pretend to be bank employees or police officers
https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100712478.pdf
○Customs website: Please beware of suspicious phone calls, emails and bank transfer scams claiming to be from the customs office
https://www.customs.go.jp/news/news/oshirase/caution201203.htm
○Metropolitan Police Department website: Police officer fraud
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kurashi/tokushu/police_officer.html
○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
■When traveling abroad, be sure to inform your family, friends, workplace, etc. of your travel dates and contact information at your destination in case of an emergency. If you are staying for more than three months, be sure to submit a residence notification.
(https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html)
In addition, if you are traveling or on a business trip of less than three months, please register with Tabi-Regi so that you can receive safety information as it arises while you are overseas.
(For details, see https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/index.html#)
Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco
Consulate-General of Japan at San Francisco
Consular and Security Team
TEL:415-780-6000
HP: https://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
[Warning] (Occurrence of attempted fraud cases) Attempted fraud cases involving people posing as Japanese customs officials or police officers
Nov. 15, 2024, 8:16 a.m.
1. Summary of attempted fraud cases (1) You receive a phone call from a person claiming to be a Japanese customs official who says, “Prohibited drugs have been found in the package you sent. If you have no recollection of this, you will need to file a police report.”
(2) They threaten you by saying, "If you do not file a report, you will be deported to Japan or your passport will be revoked," and urge you to file a report.
(3) Your call is transferred to a person posing as a police officer. When you begin talking to this person about filing a crime report, they will take their time to stir up anxiety and explain multiple reasons, such as "your personal information may be misused in other ways," or "your credit card may be used for money laundering by a fraud group," in order to extract details from you, such as credit card information and other personal details.
2. To avoid becoming a victim: (1) If you receive a suspicious phone call attempting to extract personal information, do not make any decisions on your own. Instead, respond cautiously and calmly by consulting with family, acquaintances, the police, etc., and take sufficient care to avoid becoming a victim.
(2) If you find yourself exchanging money with someone you have not met through email or social media, please be extremely cautious.
(3) Scams have become more sophisticated and diverse. In addition to the attempted scams mentioned above, Japanese residents have also reported to the Embassy other cases of romance scams using dating apps and phishing scams disguised as banks. Please make efforts to gather information during normal times and exercise extreme caution without becoming complacent and thinking, "I won't be deceived."
*This email address is for sending only.
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*If you have signed up for TabiRegi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
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*In order to protect your family, friends and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please encourage your acquaintances, business travelers and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of 3 months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than 3 months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.
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Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
2 Houston Center, Suite 3000, 909 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77010
Phone: 713-652-2977 (Main) 24-hour emergency response
https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/index_j.htm
Notice regarding the resumption of Consulate-General operations
Nov. 13, 2024, 11:56 a.m.
Consulate-General of Japan in Hagatna
TEL: +1(671)646-1290
Email:infocgj@ag.mofa.go.jp
*This email will be sent to the email address registered on your residence notification and Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for TabiRegi and would like to change or stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving them from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*If you have submitted a residence notification and are returning to your home state (moving to another state) or wish to change the information on your residence notification, please complete the procedure at the following URL.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/residencereport/login
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file 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.
Warning regarding approaching tropical depression (COR1 issued and temporary closure of Consulate General) (3rd report)
Nov. 13, 2024, 6:11 a.m.
Consulate-General of Japan in Hagatna
TEL: +1(671)646-1290
Email:infocgj@ag.mofa.go.jp
*This email will be sent to the email address registered on your residence notification and Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for TabiRegi and would like to change or stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving them from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*If you have submitted a residence notification and are returning to your home state (moving to another state) or wish to change the information on your residence notification, please complete the procedure at the following URL.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/residencereport/login
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please encourage your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of 3 months or more) or register with Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than 3 months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.
