United States of America / USA (Hawaii) travel advisories

Warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2))

Dec. 16, 2024, midnight wide area information

We would like to provide you with a warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 2)).

Alert for terrorism in Europe and the US

Dec. 9, 2024, midnight wide area information

During holiday and event seasons such as Christmas and New Year, there are increased gatherings and movements of people, which raises concerns that the possibility of terrorist attacks increases.
* In recent years, in Europe and the United States, there have been frequent terrorist attacks targeting places where security and surveillance are weak and where many ordinary citizens gather (soft targets). In particular, areas near tourist facilities, event venues, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, public transportation, religious facilities, etc. are prone to terrorist attacks and require constant caution.
○ Always make an effort to obtain the latest information and take sufficient precautions to ensure your safety.

Warning about special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)

Nov. 29, 2024, midnight wide area information

We will issue wide-area information on special frauds.

Discontinuation of Guam Customs Declaration (paper form) and transition to electronic filing

Feb. 4, 2025, 4:46 p.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.
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*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.

Small plane crash in Philadelphia

Feb. 1, 2025, 2:01 p.m.

This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification or the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.

[Contact Information]
Consulate-General of Japan in New York
299 Park Avenue 18th Floor, New York, NY 10171
TEL:(212)-371-8222
HP: http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/html/

*If you have registered with TabiRegi and do not wish to receive emails, please follow the procedure to change or stop receiving emails at the URL below.
(Change) https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/auth
(Stop) 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 to Japan or Movement 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 3 months or more) or register for Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than 3 months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.

[Caution] High wave warning issued

Jan. 30, 2025, 5:11 p.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.

Recent safety measures information (January 29, 2025)

Jan. 30, 2025, 8:21 a.m.

[Main text]
●Please be aware that there have been many cases of telephone scams in which people pretend to be employees of Japanese public institutions.
There have been scams across the United States, including in our jurisdiction (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), involving phone calls from people posing as Japanese government officials (customs officials, police, consulate staff, etc.).
In one case that our Consulate-General received as a consultation, when the person answered the phone, they were told in Japanese by someone claiming to be a Tokyo Customs official, "Illegal drugs have been detected in the mail you sent. We will revoke your passport and transfer you to the police." The person then claimed to be a police or prosecutor, creating fear by saying, "You will be arrested." As the investigation process is needed to empty the person's bank account to prove their innocence, they were asked to transfer the balance to a designated account using a virtual currency trading app or similar.
Public institutions will never ask for money or personal information over the phone. In addition, the police and other authorities will not question you over the phone. If this happens to you, assume it is a scam, hang up the phone, and contact people around you, the police, our institution, etc.
Detailed information about the methods used is available on our website, so please refer to it and share it with others to prevent further damage.
◎ Our website: "Telephone scams posing as Japanese public agency employees"
https://www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/jp_alert_20250122.html
(reference)
◎ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Overseas Safety Website "Caution regarding special fraud (to avoid becoming a victim)"
https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/info/pcwideareaspecificinfo_2024C049.html

●Crime prevention advice from local security authorities when going out On January 11th and 12th of this year, a series of murders involving a single assailant using a knife occurred in downtown Denver, Colorado (16th Street Mall), leaving two people dead.
Following this incident, the Embassy of Japan contacted local security authorities to check on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime. The authorities provided the following advice on crime prevention measures when out and about. We hope you will take this opportunity to review the advice and use it to help you with your everyday crime prevention efforts.
- Always be alert to your surroundings.
・Don't walk in dark places (this is the most important thing).
- Choose to walk on busy streets (in the downtown Denver incident mentioned above, all four victims were acting alone and there were no witnesses nearby).
- (As a precaution against robbers, etc.) do not carry cell phones, computers, or expensive items in your hands.
Please also refer to the "Safety Guide" created by our embassy, which contains specific precautions to take, including crime prevention measures even when you are not at home.
◎ "Safety Guide" on our website
https://www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100529223.pdf

●Take steps to prevent respiratory viral infections (cold, influenza, COVID-19, RSV, etc.).
With the full winter season upon us, the cold, dry air creates ideal conditions for viruses to spread, leading to outbreaks of respiratory viral infections (cold, influenza, COVID-19, RSV, etc.) in many areas.
The following prevention methods are introduced on the US National Library of Medicine website. Please refer to the website for details and make an effort to prevent infectious diseases.
Wear a mask, especially in crowded places where the virus can spread quickly.
・Wash your hands frequently Even if your hands are not dirty, the virus is still on them. Wash your hands frequently with soap.
Disinfect areas that are frequently touched by hands and other fingers (doorknobs, faucets, light switches, remote controls, etc.).
- Avoid contact with people who have symptoms of a viral infection. If possible, live in separate rooms from people who already have symptoms, frequently disinfect shared areas such as bathrooms, and use separate tableware to avoid contact as much as possible.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Many viruses enter the body when your hands touch an area that has the virus on it and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
◎ U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) website: https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/winter-viruses#:~:text=Prevention%20best%20practices&text=But%20even%20if%20you're,Wash%20your%20hands%20frequently

*This email will be sent to the email addresses of those who have submitted a residence notification, those who have registered with Tabi-Reji, and those who have requested to receive our email newsletter.
*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
*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.

[Contact Information]
Consulate-General of Japan in Denver Consular and Security Team
Consulate-General of Japan in Denver
1225 17th Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80202
TEL: 303-534-1151
FAX: 303-534-3393
E-mail: cgjd-consular@de.mofa.go.jp
Website: https://www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp

Wildfire and rain warning issued for Southern California (24th)

Jan. 25, 2025, 6:58 a.m.

1. Rain is forecast for Southern California over the weekend of the 25th and 26th, and a certain amount of rain is expected to fall. In response to this rain, the City of Los Angeles is taking various measures, such as surveying areas in the affected areas where landslides are likely to occur, setting up sandbags and protective gear, and removing debris from drainage channels. In addition, sandbags are being distributed free of charge in some areas. Please note that in addition to landslides, the possibility of large amounts of ash, mud, wood, etc. being washed away cannot be ruled out even with a small amount of rain, so please obtain the latest information from local governments and media outlets in the affected areas and make efforts to ensure your safety.

Free sandbag distribution locations
https://x.com/LACoPublicWorks/status/1882475410371531005?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

2. The Embassy has set up a special page on its website regarding wildfires. Please visit this page for information on wildfires, evacuation shelters, various forms of support and donations, and the removal of hazardous materials in affected areas.
Consulate-General's special website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/ryojimail_00001.html

3. If you are unable to contact any Japanese nationals living in or around the areas affected by the wildfires, or if there are any Japanese nationals whose safety is unknown, please provide as much detailed information as possible about them to the Consulate-General of Japan (ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp) (including their name, gender, date of birth, place of stay, etc.).

4. Southern California is expected to continue to experience weather conditions that favor the outbreak and spread of wildfires. Japanese residents and travelers who live or stay in or near forested areas should continue to take note of the following points.
(1) Make an effort to obtain the latest information from the media and local governments, and prepare for the occurrence and spread of disasters.
(2) Since wildfires may cause road closures, be sure to check traffic information and the situation around your destination before departing.
(3) Do not approach areas where forest fires are occurring out of curiosity.
(4) In preparation for evacuation, check and prepare disaster necessities, including valuables such as your passport, and keep them ready to take with you at any time.
(For reference, a checklist of disaster essentials is included at the end of the "Safety Guide.") https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/consular_safety.html
(5) Prepare for power outages, as they may occur in areas where wildfires are occurring and in the surrounding areas (by storing flashlights, water, and emergency food).

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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 (ORR Net) to submit your Residence Notification, change notification, and return to Japan/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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Caution issued regarding wildfires in Southern California (22nd)

Jan. 23, 2025, 8:54 a.m.

A wildfire broke out in the Hughes area of Los Angeles County on the morning of the 22nd, and is spreading rapidly. Evacuation orders have been issued for some surrounding areas, public access has been prohibited, and some surrounding roads, including the highway, have been closed.

2. A new wildfire has broken out in the Bernardo area of San Diego County, and evacuations have been urged in the surrounding area.

3. In Southern California, dry air conditions make it easy for wildfires to break out and spread. Japanese residents and travelers who live or stay in the vicinity of forests or the surrounding areas should continue to pay attention to the following points. Even if you do not live in the surrounding area of wildfires, please make sure to prepare for wildfires on a daily basis.
(1) Make an effort to obtain the latest information from the media and local governments, and prepare for the occurrence and spread of disasters.
(2) Since wildfires may cause road closures, be sure to check traffic information and the situation around your destination before departing.
(3) Do not approach areas where forest fires are occurring out of curiosity.
(4) In preparation for evacuation, check and prepare disaster necessities, including valuables such as your passport, and keep them ready to take with you at any time.
(For reference, a checklist of disaster essentials is included at the end of the "Safety Guide.") https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/consular_safety.html
(5) Prepare for power outages, as they may occur in areas where wildfires are occurring and in the surrounding areas (by storing flashlights, water, and emergency food).

4. The Embassy has set up a special page on its website regarding wildfires. Please visit this page for information on wildfires, evacuation shelters, and various forms of support and donations.
Consulate-General's special website: https://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/ryojimail_00001.html

5. If you are unable to contact any Japanese nationals living in or around the areas affected by the wildfires, or if there are any Japanese nationals whose safety is unknown, please provide as much detailed information as possible about them to the Consulate-General of Japan (ryoji@ls.mofa.go.jp) (including their name, gender, date of birth, place of stay, etc.).

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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 (ORR Net) to submit your Residence Notification, change notification, and return to Japan/moving out notification.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/RRnet/index.html
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