United States of America / USA (Hawaii) travel advisories

[Wide Area Information] Warning about illegal part-time work overseas by criminal organizations, including the Anonymous Mobile Crime Group (Tokuryu) (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator)

Dec. 16, 2025, midnight wide area information

There have been a number of cases where people have applied for illegal part-time work overseas and ended up being forced to act as "callers" for criminal organizations and take part in special fraud overseas, or where people have unintentionally become complicit in crimes by couriering illegal drugs (such as marijuana), and ended up being detained or protected by local police.

●If you feel that you have applied for an illegal part-time job overseas, do not worry or keep it to yourself, but seek help from a family member or someone close to you, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police, etc.

●If you feel that as a result of applying for an illegal part-time job overseas, you have become (or been forced to become) complicit in a crime such as specialized fraud or illegal drug smuggling, please do not hesitate to contact or consult with the local Japanese embassy or consulate general.

Warning about special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)

Dec. 16, 2025, midnight wide area information

● Special fraud, in which money is defrauded by contacting people without meeting them in person, is also occurring overseas. There have been confirmed cases in which people have impersonated Japanese government officials, such as Japanese embassy staff, Japanese consulate staff, Japanese police officers, and customs officials.

●Japanese public institutions such as the Japanese Embassy, Japanese Consulate General, police officers, and customs officials will never request remittances without following proper procedures. Please take precautions such as not easily responding to suspicious phone calls, emails, social media messages, etc. that you do not recognize.

●If you feel even slightly uneasy while outside of Japan, please consult your nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General.

Alert regarding terrorism in Europe and the United States

Nov. 28, 2025, midnight wide area information

During holiday and event seasons such as Christmas and New Year, people gather and travel more, making you more likely to become a target of terrorism.
Against the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East, terrorist incidents targeting Israeli interests and Jewish people have occurred, so caution is required even during Jewish anniversaries and holidays, as well as the periods before and after them.
In recent years, terrorist attacks have been occurring in Europe and the United States, targeting places where security and surveillance are weak and where many ordinary citizens gather. In particular, areas around tourist facilities, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, public transportation, and religious facilities have become targets of terrorism.
○ Always make an effort to obtain the latest information and take sufficient precautions to ensure your safety.

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 may be infected, please visit a medical institution as soon as possible.

Caution: Safety measures and closed days during the New Year holidays (re-sent)

Dec. 24, 2025, 2:15 p.m.

1. Christmas and the New Year's holidays are a time when many tourists visit Guam, so beware of thefts targeting tourists, such as robbery, snatching, purse snatching, and car theft. Car thefts in parking lots at tourist spots, and purse snatching at beaches and food courts, are particularly common. Take steps to prevent theft by keeping valuables such as wallets and bags close to you at all times and not leaving anything in your vehicle when you leave it. Also, avoid dark areas and deserted alleys, where you may be the victim of robbery or snatching, so avoid such places.
In addition, various events will be held during this period, which will increase the number of people gathering and traveling, making you more likely to be targeted by terrorist attacks in addition to general crimes. Please be sure to take thorough safety precautions, such as paying attention to your surroundings, when going out.

2. There have been many cases of passports being lost. If you lose your passport, it will take a considerable amount of time to report it to the local police, have your photo taken, and have a "return document (fees apply)" issued in order to return to Japan, which could result in you being unable to return home as planned. During your stay in Guam, please store your passport properly in a valuables box at your hotel, and if you carry your passport with you, please take steps to prevent it from being lost, such as storing it in a zippered pocket in your bag.

3. Medical expenses in Guam are extremely expensive. In the past, there have been cases where medical bills amounted to tens of millions of yen. Furthermore, travel insurance provided with credit cards may not be sufficient. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you purchase overseas travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage and cashless payment options, before leaving the country.

4. The museum will be closed on Thursday, December 25th and from Saturday, December 27th to Sunday, January 4th. For non-urgent inquiries during this period, please contact us by email at the address listed below.
infocgj@ag.mofa.go.jp
In the event of an emergency, such as an incident or accident involving the life of a Japanese national, please contact the following telephone number (the initial response will be provided by a contractor contracted by the Embassy).
671-646-1290

5. Please see below for details on safety measures.
Safety Guide (on our website):
https://www.hagatna.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100633119.pdf

Wide-area information (warnings about terrorism in Europe, the US, etc.)
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2025C049.html

Caution: Safety measures for Christmas and New Year

Dec. 24, 2025, 8 a.m.

1. Beware of general crimes, terrorism, etc. From Christmas through the New Year, various events are held in the United States, Europe, etc., and as a result, more people gather and travel, which increases the number of general crimes such as thefts (pickpocketing, purse snatching) and car break-ins.
Additionally, against the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East, terrorist incidents have occurred targeting Israeli Jewish communities, and there have also been cases in the United States and Europe where terrorist plots have been thwarted by security authorities.
Before traveling, please register with TabiRegi, and when you go out, please take thorough safety precautions such as keeping your passport and valuables in good condition and paying attention to your surroundings.

Tabi-regi registration
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/index.html

Wide-area information (warnings about terrorism in Europe, the US, etc.)
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2025C049.html

2. Fraudulent cases involving people claiming to be police, embassy or consulate general staff, etc. Fraudulent cases involving people claiming to be police, embassy or consulate general staff, etc., demanding money or personal information continue to occur.
There seem to be a variety of scenarios used as methods, but the perpetrator will tell you that your bank account or phone number has been used in a crime and you are under investigation, and then transfer the call or connect you to a friend pretending to be the police, etc., and psychologically pressure you without giving you time to consult with others, before demanding money or personal information. In particular, if the other party already has various personal information about you, it is easy to mistake them for the real thing, and there have been cases where people have suffered large losses.
If you receive a suspicious phone call, please hang up and take appropriate action, such as consulting a family member, friend, or the police.

3. Compliance with U.S. Laws and Regulations Please be fully aware that if you enter the United States illegally, stay illegally, or violate laws and regulations (such as engaging in activities outside your visa or residence status, or driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.), you run the risk of being arrested and detained, and of being subject to large fines. Furthermore, even after your U.S. visa is issued or you enter the United States, you may continue to be subject to U.S. security screening, including your behavior on social media. As a result, if it is determined that you are not complying with the conditions of your U.S. residence permit, your visa or residence status may be revoked, you may be deported, and you may be barred from re-entering the country, so please be aware of this.

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

Storm-related flooding and landslide warnings for Southern California

Dec. 23, 2025, 8:35 a.m.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a band of water vapor known as an "atmospheric river" has formed on the west coast of the United States and is moving south toward Southern California. As a result, the NWS has predicted that a wide area will be affected by the storm from Tuesday, the 23rd, through the weekend, and has issued a flood watch.
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 particular, in some areas affected by wildfires such as the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire this year, heavy rains will increase the risk of landslides and other disasters. Please pay attention to evacuation information and warnings issued by local governments and take appropriate action.

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. This week is the Christmas season, so airports and roads tend to be crowded and congested, but there is a possibility that they may be affected by a storm in the future, so please make sure to allow yourself plenty of time when traveling.

5. 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.

*******************************************************
◇ 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
********************************************************

Passport management during the New Year holidays

Dec. 23, 2025, 6:40 a.m.

At the Consulate General of Japan in Saskatchewan
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] Safety measures for Christmas and New Year holidays

Dec. 23, 2025, 4:45 a.m.

[Main text]
1. Beware of general crimes, terrorism, etc. From Christmas through the New Year, various events are held in the United States, Europe, etc., and as a result, more people gather and travel, which increases the number of general crimes such as thefts (pickpocketing, purse snatching) and car break-ins.
Additionally, against the backdrop of the situation in the Middle East, terrorist incidents have occurred targeting Israeli Jewish communities, and there have also been cases in the United States and Europe where security authorities have thwarted terrorist plots before they could be carried out.
Before traveling, please register with TabiRegi, and when you go out, please take thorough safety precautions such as keeping your passport and valuables in good condition and paying attention to your surroundings.

Tabi-regi registration
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/index.html

Wide-area information (warnings about terrorism in Europe, the US, etc.)
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2025C049.html

2. Cases of fraud by people claiming to be police or embassy/consulate general staff, etc. Cases of fraud by people claiming to be police or embassy/consulate general staff, etc., demanding money or personal information, are continuing to occur. Recently, even within the state under our jurisdiction, there have been a series of phone calls that appear to be scams, with people pretending to be staff from the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, claiming, "You have received an envelope from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and we would like you to come and collect it," inciting anxiety.
There seem to be a variety of scenarios used as methods, but the perpetrator will tell you that your bank account or phone number has been used in a crime and you are under investigation, and then transfer the call or connect you to a friend pretending to be the police, etc., and psychologically pressure you without giving you time to consult with others, before demanding money or personal information. In particular, if the other party already has various personal information about you, it is easy to mistake them for the real thing, and there have been cases where people have suffered large losses.
If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up the phone and take appropriate action, such as consulting a family member, friend, or the police.

3. Compliance with U.S. Laws and Regulations Please be fully aware that if you enter the United States illegally, stay illegally, or violate laws and regulations (such as engaging in activities outside your visa or residence status, or driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.), you run the risk of being arrested and detained, and of being subject to large fines. Furthermore, even after your U.S. visa is issued or you enter the U.S., you may continue to be subject to U.S. security screening, including your behavior on social media. If you are found not to be complying with the conditions of your U.S. residence permit, your visa or residence status may be revoked, you may be deported, and you may be barred from re-entering the country. Please be aware of this.

● Reminder: Compliance with US laws and regulations
https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100910286.pdf

●Our website "Safety Guide"
https://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100784507.pdf

*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 "Tabireji." If you have registered with "Tabireji" and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*If you have submitted a "Residence Notification" and returned to your home country or moved to another country (state), please use the following U
Please submit a notification of returning to your home country or moving out from RL.
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

[Warning] Special fraud posing as a consulate employee

Dec. 20, 2025, 5:30 a.m.

[Main text]
● Modus operandi 1: An individual claiming to be an employee of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago (a man who speaks Japanese and whose phone number is not the main number of the Consulate, (312) 280-0400) called and said, "You have received an envelope from the Metropolitan Police Department," and "Can you come to the Consulate-General to pick up the envelope?" When the individual explained that they were too far away to pick up the envelope, they said, "In that case, I will open the envelope now."

2. When I asked, "Are you really a staff member of the Consulate General?" the call was cut off.

● Possible subsequent developments 1. The document states, "Please report to the Metropolitan Police Department's XX Station by XX date," "An arrest warrant has been issued for XX crime," "You are suspected of money laundering," etc., stirring up anxiety as if the police are investigating the matter.

2. Provide the phone number by saying, "I will now give you the phone number of the Metropolitan Police Department's XX Police Station, where the document was issued, so please call them."

3. When you call the designated phone number, someone claiming to be a police detective will answer and further increase your anxiety by saying things like, "A warrant has been issued for your arrest," or "You are suspected of ____ crime," and then demand money, saying things like, "If you pay bail in advance, you will not be arrested," or "Once you are cleared of the charges, your bail will be returned."

● Measures to prevent damage 1. Talk to someone close to you.
Hang up the phone and be sure to consult with a relative or acquaintance. Fraud groups cleverly use words like bank freezes and arrests to panic their victims and prevent them from making rational decisions. Never keep the situation to yourself; talk to those around you and seek objective advice.

2. Check the facts yourself.
Even if the phone number displayed on the incoming call screen is the same as a legitimate phone number, if the call sounds similar to the above-mentioned modus operandi, hang up the call and call the consulate or police yourself to confirm the facts.
Also, if you are shown a police badge or certificate during a video call, etc., please note down the name and identification number, give an explanation for hanging up the call, contact the police station in your jurisdiction, and provide the information you have noted down to confirm that the person is a real police officer.

3. Always be suspicious of requests for money.
It is impossible for public institutions such as consulates and police to ask for large amounts of money over the phone. If you are asked for a large amount of money, it is highly likely to be a scam, so please hang up the phone and contact the consulate or police. (The consulate may inform you over the phone of fees for applications you have made in advance, such as passports and various application fees, but this will only be for small fees.)

We ask all Japanese residents in the UK to take note of the above and take sufficient precautions to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. If you receive a similar phone call, please remain calm and take appropriate action, including contacting the police if necessary.


*Please share this information with your friends and family.
*This email is automatically sent to the email address registered to the email address you provided in your residence notification.
*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