Cablegate: Country Clearance for Ambassador Michael W.

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKO #4691 2780537
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050537Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 1029
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8316

UNCLAS TOKYO 004691

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OTRA PREL JA
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR AMBASSADOR MICHAEL W.
MICHALAK

REF: HANOI 01734

1. (U) Embassy welcomes and grants country clearance for the
October 9, 2007 visit to Japan by Ambassador Michalak.

2. (U) Point of contact is Political Officer Marc Forino,
Tel: (03) 3224-5467, Mobile: 090-5578-0102.

3. (U) Post understands that the meeting with Diet Member
Shiozaki is private. Mr. Shiozaki has agreed to meet for a
private lunch at Shunju (Sanno Park Tower) at 12:00 noon on
October 9, 2007. It is not possible to arrange a call on CCS
Machimura.

4. (U) Regret Embassy will not be able to provide
transportation from the airport.

----
Visa
----

5. (U) Holders of U.S. diplomatic or official passports must
have a Japanese visa to enter Japan. Travelers on a U.S.
tourist passport may enter Japan as a tourist without a
Japanese visa for up to 90 days.

----------------------
Embassy Laptop Policy
----------------------

6. (U) Official visitors are reminded that personally owned
or non-controlled USG-issued electronic equipment (including
all PDAs, cell phones, pagers, radios, records) may not enter
the controlled access areas. Additionally, all classified
and sensitive materials must be secured at the embassy visit
control office upon arrival in country.

-----------------
Threat Assessment
-----------------

7. (U) U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a
heightened state of alert. As the U.S. Government has
reported in public announcements over the last several
months, U.S. citizens and interests abroad may be at
increased risk of terrorist actions from extremist groups,
which may target civilians and include suicide operations.
The Department maintains information about potential threats
to Americans overseas which is available to travelers on the
internet at the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page:
http://www.travel.state.gov. The Embassy takes all threats
seriously. U.S. Embassy Tokyo can be contacted 24 hours a
day at 03-3224-5000 (locally) or 81-3-3224-5000
(internationally).

8. (SBU) The general threat from crime in Tokyo and
throughout Japan is low. Crime is at levels well below the
U.S. national average. Violent crime is rare, but does
exist. The Japanese National Police report continued
problems with pick-pocketing of foreigners in crowded
shopping areas of Tokyo. Although street crime is low,
common sense security measures are advised for all American
citizens traveling in Japan.

9. (U) Also be advised that under no circumstances may
weapons be brought into Japan. Carrying a pocketknife
(including Swiss Army-style knife, craft or hunting knife,
box cutter, etc.) in public is forbidden. Under Japanese
law, carrying any such item in public, with a size exceeding
8 cm in length, 1.5 cm in width or 2 mm in thickness, can
subject the person to arrest or detention.
DONOVAN

© Scoop Media