Thursday, March 17, 2011

Message from the US Embassy in Tokyo

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo informs U.S. citizens in Japan who wish to
depart that the Department of State is making arrangements to provide
transportation to safehaven locations in Asia.  This assistance will
be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law.  U.S.
citizens who travel on US government-arranged transport will be
expected to make their own onward travel plans from the safehaven
location.  Flights to evacuation points will begin departing Japan on
Thursday, March 17.  There will be a limited number of seats available
on evacuation flights departing from Narita and Haneda airports on
March 17.  Priority will be given to persons with medical emergencies
or severe medical conditions.


Persons interested in departing Japan via USG-chartered transportation
should proceed to Narita and Haneda airports or contact the US
Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to
JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.  Please
provide the following information:
Name, age, place of birth, U.S. passport number and any special medical needs.
Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S.
citizens must be documented for entry into the safehaven country
and/or U.S., if that is your final destination.


Frequently Asked Question


I’m ready to go.  What do I do?
Documented U.S. citizens may proceed to Haneda or Narita airport as of
Thursday, March 17 at 6:00 pm.


My child is a U.S. citizen. Can my whole family be evacuated?
A U.S. citizen child may be escorted by one adult, preferably a
parent, who has appropriate travel documents.  If a family has more
than one U.S. citizen child, the one-adult rule still applies.


Do I need a U.S. passport?
All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children, are
required to have valid travel documents.  The U.S. Embassy in Japan
will assist U.S. citizens with travel documents.  U.S. citizens who do
not hold a valid U.S. passport or visa and are interested in departing
Japan via USG-chartered transportation should contact the US
Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to
JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.


What do I do if my child is a U.S. citizen, but hasn’t yet been documented?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Japan.  U.S. citizens who do not hold a
valid U.S. passport or visa interested in departing Japan via
USG-chartered transportation should contact the U.S. Department of
State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to
JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.
My family members aren’t U.S. citizens.  Can they travel with me?
The scheduled evacuation flights will transport U.S. citizens and
their immediate family members.  Immediate family members – defined as
spouses and children – who are not U.S. citizens will be required to
have travel documentation that will permit their entry into the safe
haven destinations.  At this time, flights are expected to travel to
Seoul, Republic of Korea and Taipei, Taiwan.  Safe haven destinations
may change.  U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will not be able to
select their safe haven destinations.


Will you fly me to the United States?
Our goal is to get people to a safe place, where they can make their
own onward travel arrangements.  Travelers will be responsible for
their own onward travel arrangements and accommodations in the safe
haven city.  Consular officers will provide travelers with information
on airlines and hotels

.
What should I bring?
Travelers should bring valid travel documents and any necessary medications.
Each traveler may bring one suitcase and a small personal carry-on item.
U.S. citizens seeking evacuation should be prepared for a substantial
wait at the airport.  Travelers are advised to bring food, water,
diapers and other necessary toiletries with them to the airport.


What about my pets?
Evacuation flights will not be able to accommodate pets.


Do I have to pay for the flight?
U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will be asked to sign paperwork
promising to reimburse the U.S. Government for flight costs at a later
date.  Exact flight costs are not yet available, but should be
comparable to a one-way commercial flight from Japan to the safehaven
location.


How do I get to the airport?
Public transport to include taxis is still operating in Japan.

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