For a country that lived in self-imposed isolation until 150 years ago, Japan has not hesitated to make up for lost time.

It is a place of ancient gods and customs but is also the cutting edge of cool modernity. High-speed trains whisk you from one end of the country to another with frightening punctuality. You can catch sight of a farmer tending his paddy field, then turn the corner and find yourself next to a neon-festooned electronic games parlor in the suburb of a sprawling metropolis.

Few other countries have, in the space of mere generations, experienced so much or made such an impact. Industrialized at lightning speed, Japan shed its feudal trappings to become the most powerful country in Asia in a matter of decades. After defeat in World War II, it transformed itself to a wonder economy, the envy of the globe.

In the cities you will first be struck by the mass of people. In this mountainous country, the vast majority of the 126 million population live on the crowded coastal plains of the main island of Honshu. The three other main islands, running north to south, are Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and all are linked to Honshu by bridges and tunnels that are part of one of Japan’s modern wonders -- its efficient transport network of trains and highways.

Outside the cities, there is a vast range of options from the wide open spaces and deep volcanic lakes of Hokkaido, blanketed by snow every winter, to the balmy subtropical islands of Okinawa. You will seldom have to travel far to catch sight of a lofty castle, ancient temple or shrine or locals celebrating at a colorful street festival. The Japanese are inveterate travelers within their own country and there is hardly a town or village, no matter how small or plain, that does not boast some unique attraction.

Rampant development and sometimes appalling pollution is difficult to square with a country also renowned for cleanliness and appreciation of nature. Part of the problem is that natural cataclysms, such as earthquakes and typhoons, regularly hit Japan, so few people expect things to last for long.

And yet, time and again, Japan redeems itself with unexpectedly beautiful landscapes, charmingly courteous people, and its tangible sense of history and cherished traditions. Most intriguing of all is the opaqueness at the heart of this mysterious hidden culture that stems from a blurring of traditional boundaries between East and West. Japan is neither wholly one nor the other.

This is the official post report prepared by the post. The information contained herein is directed to official U.S. Government employees and their families. Any other information concerning the facts set forth herein is to be regarded as unofficial information.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLICATION 10658 Bureau of Administration Office of Multi-Media Services

Released July 2001

The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate Last Updated: 7/13/2004 2:43 AM

Japan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia. The main islands, running from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu or the mainland Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, which is about 380 miles southwest of Kyushu. About 3,000 smaller islands are included in the archipelago. In total land area, Japan is slightly smaller than California.

About 71% of the country is mountainous, with a chain running through each of the main islands. Japan’s highest mountain is world famous Mt. Fuji (12,385 feet). Since so little flat area exists, many hills and mountainsides are cultivated all the way to the top. Situated as it is in a volcanic zone along the Pacific deeps, frequent low intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands. Hot springs are numerous; some have been developed as resorts.

Temperature extremes are fewer than in the U.S. since no part of the interior is more than 100 miles from the coast. At the same time, because the islands run almost directly north-south, the climate varies. Sapporo, on the northern island, has warm summers and long, cold winters with heavy snowfall. Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, on the southern part of the largest island of Honshu, experience relatively mild winters with little or no snowfall and hot, humid summers. Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, has a climate similar to that of Washington, D.C. with mild winters and short summers. Okinawa is subtropical.

Spring, with its profusion of cherry blossoms and other flowering trees and shrubs, and autumn, with its gold and flaming red trees and lovely fall flowers, are the most pleasant seasons. The hot, humid summers are difficult in the cities, but the sandy beaches along the coast and the many fine mountain resorts provide pleasant relief. The rather mild and dry winters are not as severe as the U.S. East Coast; it rarely snows or rains in the Tokyo area at this time of year. The climate causes no more of a problem with mildew, mold, moths, mosquitoes or other pests than is experienced in Washington, D.C.

Average Yearly Temperatures in °F:

Winter Spring Summer Fall Sapporo 25.0 42.4 66.6 55.9 Tokyo 41.4 55.6 75.9 63.0 Osaka/Kobe 41.9 58.4 78.4 64.0 Fukuoka 42.8 56.7 77.2 63.9 Naha 62.3 69.6 81.2 75.5

Population Last Updated: 7/13/2004 2:44 AM

Japan’s population, currently some 125 million, has experienced a phenomenal growth rate during the past 100 years as a result of scientific, industrial, and sociological changes. High sanitary and health standards produce a life expectancy exceeding that of the US.

The Japanese are a Mongoloid people, closely related to the major groups of East Asia. However, some evidence of a mixture with Malayan and Caucasoid strains is present. The latter is still represented in pure form by a very small group of Ainu in Hokkaido, the remains of the Caucasoid people who inhabited Japan in prehistoric times, and who perhaps formed a portion of a circumpolar culture extending across Siberia to European Russia.

The Japanese usually are described as group oriented rather than individually oriented. Geography is the main reason for this group orientation. Many people confined in a small land area poorly endowed with natural resources traditionally work together for the good of the whole.

In premodern Japan the extended family or clan system provided security for the component families. Industrialization and urbanization broke up this type of family system, but the paternalistic tradition has continued through government social welfare agencies and, to a greater degree, through large companies that provide more fringe benefits than their Western counterparts.

The Japanese are always conscious of their uniqueness as a people. They are proud of their country, its great natural beauty, distinct culture, and the important role it plays in the modern world. Because the Japanese are polite and cautious in approaching social situations, they often impress foreigners as being shy and reserved, but beneath this they are always interested and curious to learn about foreign ideas and attitudes.

Japan’s communication with the rest of the world, from commerce to the arts, has been hampered by a language barrier. Japanese is a difficult language with a complicated writing system. Relatively few non-Japanese are completely bilingual. Although English has been for many years the international language of Japan, and the study of English is compulsory in Japanese junior and senior high schools, the Japanese have as difficult a time with English as non-Japanese speakers do with Japanese. The average person can speak only a few words, and business representatives and government officials are constantly trying to improve their command of the language. Instruction in English conversation is in great demand, and it is a common experience for an American to be stopped on the street by someone who just wants to practice a few sentences of English.

Japan is an urban society with only about 7% of the labor force engaged in agriculture. Many farmers supplement their income with part-time jobs in nearby towns and cities. About 80 million of the urban population are heavily concentrated on the Pacific shore of Honshu and in northern Kyushu. Metropolitan Tokyo with approximately 14 million, Yokohama with 3.3 million, Osaka 2.6, Nagoya 2.1, Kyoto 1.5, Sapporo 1.6, Kobe 1.4, and Kitakyushu, Kawasaki, and Fukuoka with 1.2 million each account for part of this population. Japan faces the same problems that confront urban industrialized societies throughout the world: overcrowded cities, congested highways, air pollution, and rising juvenile delinquency.

Shintoism and Buddhism are Japan’s two principal religions. Buddhism first came to Japan in the 6th century and for the next 10 centuries exerted profound influence on its intellectual, artistic, social, and political life. Although still important, it is a relatively inactive religious form today. Monasteries and temples, large and small, dot the landscape but usually play only subdued background role in the life of the community. Most funerals are conducted by Buddhist priests, and burial grounds attached to temples are used by both faiths.

Shintoism is founded on myths and legends emanating from the early animistic worship of natural phenomena. Since it was unconcerned with problems of afterlife that dominated Buddhist thought, and since Buddhism easily accommodated itself to local faiths, the two religions comfortably coexisted, and Shinto shrines and Buddhist monasteries often became administratively linked. Today, many Japanese are adherents of both faiths. From the 16th to the 19th century Shintoism flourished, eventually seeking unity under a symbolic imperial rule. Adopted by the leaders of the Meiji restoration, it received state support and was cultivated as a spur to patriotic and nationalistic feelings. Following World War II, state support was discontinued and the Emperor disavowed divinity. Today, Shintoism plays a more peripheral role in the life of the Japanese people. The numerous shrines are visited regularly by a few believers and, if they are historically famous or known for natural beauty, by many sightseers. Many marriages are held in the shrines, and children are brought after birth and on certain anniversary dates; special shrine days are celebrated for specific occasions, and numerous festivals are held throughout the year. Many homes have “god shelves” where offerings can be made to Shinto deities.

Confucianism arrived with the first great wave of Chinese influence into Japan between the 6th and 9th centuries. Overshadowed by Buddhism, it survived as an organized philosophy into the late 19th century and remains today as an important strain in Japanese thought and values.

Christianity, first introduced into Japan in 1549, was virtually stamped out a century later; it was reintroduced in the late 1800s and has spread slowly. Today, it has 1.4 million adherents, which includes a high percentage of important persons in education and public affairs.

Beyond these three traditional religions, many Japanese today are turning to a great variety of popular religious movements normally lumped together under the name “new religions.” These religions draw on the concept of Shinto, Buddhism, and folk superstition and have developed in part to meet the social needs of elements of the population. The officially recognized new religions number in the hundreds and total membership is reportedly in the tens of millions.

Public Institutions Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Japan’s parliamentary government—a constitutional monarchy—operates within the framework of a constitution that took effect on May 3, 1947. Sovereignty is vested in the Japanese people by constitutional definition, and the Emperor is the symbol of the state, “deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.”

Japan has universal adult suffrage with secret ballot for all elective offices, national and local. The government has an executive responsible to the legislature and an independent judiciary.

The seven major political parties represented in the National Diet are the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Clean Government Party (Komeito), the Liberal Party (LP), the Japan Communist Party (JCP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the Conservative Party (CP).

Arts, Science, and Education Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Japan’s educational system is based on 6 years of elementary and 3 years of middle or junior high school. Schooling is compulsory and free. More than 97% of children finishing middle school go on for 3 years of upper or senior high school.

Japan has over 1,174 universities, colleges, and junior colleges and over 3 million college students, making it second only to the U.S. in the proportion of its college-age population that are students. Nevertheless, the most prestigious Japanese universities can accept only a fraction of the applicants. About half of the Japanese university students study in the Tokyo area. Before senior high school and college, students must take extremely rigorous competitive entrance examinations. The most difficult college entrance examinations are for national universities like Tokyo and Kyoto.

Despite the difficulty of the written language, Japan has one of the world’s highest literacy rates. It is a country of readers, ranking second only to the U.S. in book publishing.

Japan’s unique culture includes centuries-old graphic and performing arts. Modern theater forms and modern graphic arts are very popular, and Japanese artists and designers are among the world’s best. Institutions like Tokyo’s National Theater continue to preserve and encourage traditional art forms. Flower arranging (ikebana), one of the unique cultural heritages, originated in the 1300s with the advent of the tea ceremony; today Japan has 3,000–4,000 ikebana schools with millions of followers. The tea ceremony (chanoyu), perfected in the 16th century, fascinates both participants and spectators by its simplicity and elegance, designed to create peace of mind in both the performer and the partaker. Kabuki, one of the most colorful forms of traditional Japanese entertainment, a bustling, exaggerated drama accompanied by music and song, and Noh, a form of Japanese court dance characterized by use of masks, are performed regularly in cities throughout Japan. Martial arts which include judo, karate, kendo, aikido, and Japanese long-bow archery draw on Zen philosophy and traditionally have as their objective the achievement of self-discipline and inner peace. Martial arts performances can be seen regularly in the leading cities.

Commerce and Industry Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Japan’s industrialized free market economy is the world’s second largest, after the U.S. Together the two countries comprise over 30% of global output. Japan’s economy provides the Japanese people with a high standard of living: per capita GDP in 1999 was $24,075.

With only one-sixth of its land arable, Japan produces roughly half of the food required for its population. Food self-sufficiency rates continue to fall, however, with the Agriculture Ministry predicting a rate of 40% by 2005. Fish is a staple of the Japanese diet, and Japan maintains one of the world’s largest fishing fleets. It currently ranks third among the top fishing countries, accounting for almost 6% of global fishery production. Demand for imported food has increased yearly as Japanese dietary preferences change toward meat, bread, and dairy products. Japan imported over $47 billion in foodstuffs in 1997.

Japan’s natural resources can supply only a fraction of the raw materials needed by industry. For example, Japan imports more than 80% of its primary energy supply. Foreign trade is therefore vital; reliable sources of raw materials and stable export markets are essential to continued economic prosperity. With close government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, and a mastery of high technology, Japan’s industries have risen to become household names and world leaders in the production of autos, electronics, and machinery.

The U.S. is Japan’s leading trade partner; Japan is our third largest foreign market, and the largest for U.S. agricultural products. Japan’s exports to the U.S. are primarily motor vehicles, machinery, and electronic products. The bulk of U.S. exports to Japan are agricultural products, raw materials, and high-technology products, such as aircraft and computers.

Transportation

Automobiles Last Updated: 7/13/2004 1:34 AM

A personally owned vehicle is not absolutely essential in view of the excellent public transportation systems in Tokyo and throughout most of Japan. However, most employees, particularly those with families, do have their own vehicles for the convenience of traveling outside Tokyo on weekends and for shopping trips to military bases. Each residential unit on the housing compound and each U.S. Government-rented residential unit is provided with a parking space for one vehicle. The Embassy does not provide official transport for personal use or home to work commuting; take this into consideration when making a decision about importing a personally owned vehicle.

Do not bring luxury-class cars to post. Tokyo’s streets are narrow and parking spaces on the housing compound and elsewhere tend to be small. Campers and vans with high clearance (over 6’ 10’’) will not fit into the covered parking areas at the housing compound. A compact car or mini-van with air-conditioning and power steering is recommended. Since advance import clearance is not permitted, do not ship cars to post to arrive before you (see Getting to the Post for detailed shipping instructions).

All vehicles must be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To obtain registration, you must provide proof of ownership (factory invoice or bill of sale) and a valid insurance policy. Third-party insurance is compulsory. Embassy minimum requirements are: ¥20,000,000 (bodily injury or death), and ¥2,000,000 (property damage), plus Japanese compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (JCI or CALI) and its premium is currently ¥16,950. Premiums for third-party insurance differ by the age of owner and capacity of engine displacement and are currently ¥60,340 for age 26 with 1,500 cc-2,500 cc.

A vehicle imported under diplomatic procedures can be sold (consumption) tax-free if it has been registered with the Ministry for at least 2 years. Exceptions to the 2-year requirement will be considered only if the vehicle has been severely damaged or is sold to another person entitled to free entry. If the owner of a vehicle is transferred or loses official status, and the car has been registered for less than 2 years, it must be exported, sold to another person entitled to free entry, or disposed of on the local market by paying consumption tax. Personally owned cars cannot be sold by proxy.

Many people purchase a used car for use while in Japan since these vehicles are in good supply and available at relatively reasonable prices. Write the Management Section for information, if time permits, before making your final plans.

Currently, automobiles manufactured after March 31, 1976, face stringent import restrictions for all classifications of foreigners, except personnel assigned to Embassies and Consulates in Japan who are reported to the Foreign Office. In practical terms, vehicles manufactured after the March 31, 1976 deadline and imported by Mission personnel will be extremely difficult to sell in-country unless they meet Japanese emission standards. Alterations to such vehicles may exceed the value of the vehicle. In short, it is likely that any imported vehicle manufactured after March 31, 1976, will have to be exported at the conclusion of the importer’s tour unless it is sold to someone with the same free-entry privilege.

Traffic moves on the left and most cars are right-hand drive. However, those with left-hand drive report little or no difficulty driving. Most makes of American cars have local distributors who are competent in maintenance and repair. Replacements for the more complicated mechanisms, such as automatic shift or power steering, may have to be ordered from the U.S. Repair facilities for European makes can be found, but spare parts often have to be ordered from abroad, and prices for parts and services are higher than in the U.S.

Gasoline costs more than in the U.S. The Japanese Government issues tax-free coupons to all assigned Mission personnel for use at specified tax-free gas stations throughout Japan. Mission personnel are permitted to buy from U.S. military installation stations (one is at Hardy Barracks, not far from the Chancery), which sell unleaded gasoline at higher than stateside prices. Unleaded gasoline is also available from Japanese stations tax free.

Japanese streets and roads are generally congested with cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, and bicycles. Japanese cars are small by American standards but are advantageous in the narrow streets and limited parking areas. Driving is complicated by the fact that many road signs are written in Japanese kanji, and most Tokyo streets are not numbered or marked at all. Maps are essential for getting around in the city. Rental cars are available, but the charges are exorbitant.

To register a vehicle with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, employees and dependents must apply for a Japanese driver’s license issued by the Public Safety Commission. In order to have your U.S. driver’s license converted to a Japanese driver’s license, you must appear in person at the licensing office and submit official documents to prove that you had been in the U.S. for a minimum of three full months during the time your U.S. driver’s license was effective.

The Japanese driving licensing office will check the issuance date and expiration date on your U.S. driver’s license and also check the issuance date, embarkation/disembarkation stamp dates, date of entry permit on your passport and compare the two. They will accept your application if it reflects that you have been in the U.S. for 3 months anytime your U.S. driver’s license was effective.

If your U.S. driver’s license was renewed recently, and you were not physically present for 3 months in the U.S. before your initial arrival date to Japan, you will be required to submit an original document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles of the State where your license was issued that lists your previous driver’s license records. The authorities will compare the DMV records with your passport entry/exit stamps and issuance date in an attempt to verify your physical presence in the U.S. for 3 months in total. Post strongly recommends that when renewing your U.S. driver’s license that you also request a driver’s license history record from the DMV. You should bring an original DMV driver’s license history record with you to post. Additionally, you should bring all current and expired diplomatic/official and tourist passports for date requirements.

Necessary items to apply for a Japanese driver’s license:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ID card (receive at post) Valid U.S. driver’s license (if recently renewed and has not been valid for three full months before your arrival date to Japan, you will need to submit an official document that lists your previous driver’s license history record from the DMV). Japanese translation of your U.S. driver’s license (provided at post). Diplomatic/official and tourist passport(s) or any official document that will certify that you have been in the U.S. for 3 months (e.g., expired passports, school records, letter from prior employer, copies of travel orders indicating a stateside tour.) One photo (size must be 3 cm x 2.4 cm) 6. Application fee is ¥4,150 for Administrative and Technical staff only. For those with diplomatic status, there is no charge. Yokohama. Most students, especially those bringing families to Yokohama, find it worthwhile to have a car for shopping trips to U.S. bases or for travel and sightseeing on weekends. Others get by without a car, relying on travel by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, taxi, or the region’s excellent public transportation network. Used cars are available fairly cheaply, and the U.S. bases sell gas at prices close to those in the U.S. Roads are usually congested, and expressway tolls are high. Parking in downtown areas often costs around ¥500 per hour, although shopping centers usually discount parking for customers who spend over a certain amount. There is no student parking at FSI; students commute by foot, bicycle, motorcycle or bus. FSI sits atop a steep hill, and the nearest bus stop is at the bottom of the hill.

The school and most student homes are near bus lines that offer frequent service to downtown Yokohama and to the nearest train stations. The rail network offers extensive and efficient, though not cheap, service from Yokohama throughout the Kanto area. Downtown Tokyo and the Embassy are about 1-1/2–2 hours away by either train or car. The larger U.S. bases can be reached by train, but going by car may be faster and more convenient.

Upon arrival in Japan, State Department students generally are met at the airport and taken directly to their permanent housing. Each new class is taken by Embassy van to the Embassy a day or two after arrival for administrative check-in.

Send UAB and HHE in care of the American Embassy, Tokyo. For further information see "The Host Country - Transportation" and "Notes for Travel-ers" in this post report, or contact the FSI Yokohama Director.

Sapporo. Reasonably priced used cars are available in Sapporo. Four-wheel drive is useful, particularly outside the city in winter. Since Japanese drive on the left, right-hand drive cars make passing and turning hazardous.

Okinawa. The limitations of public transportation make a car essential on Okinawa. A small car is appropriate for the many narrow and congested roads. Compared to elsewhere in Japan, cars here tend to be less costly to maintain, and probably easier to sell on departure. Cars deteriorate rapidly on Okinawa due to the humid climate and salt air, and regular steam cleaning and undercoating are advised. Spare parts for many foreign cars, including some of the more popular American models, are limited and expensive. Good used cars can be purchased from departing American personnel or from local used car dealers. Financing and insurance are available from American firms here. Insurance rates are considerably higher than in the U.S.

Consular license plates take about a month to arrive from Tokyo after a car has been purchased. Japanese drivers’ licenses are obtained in a day upon presentation of a valid U.S. license. Public buses are a clean, safe and reliable, though expensive option. The Consulate General is not accessible to public transportation without long walks or several changes of bus lines. Taxis are numerous and less expensive than in Tokyo. Only designated taxis are allowed to enter the U.S. bases. Recently, all families at post have had two cars.

New cars are readily available but not recommended. Although Okinawa has a Ford dealer, repairs and spare parts for U.S.-made cars, including American-made Japanese models, are difficult to obtain. Reliable used Japanese cars can be purchased for about $2,000–$3,000, but may be expected to require substantial upkeep and repair expenditures during a 3-year tour. On-base car repair facilities are local concessions, so the cost is at least as high as at off-base shops. The high humidity, heavy with salt from the ocean, and blowing coral dust are hard on metal, and cars rust quickly. The on-base price for gasoline (89 octane and diesel only) is about the same as the average price in the U.S.

Consulate General personnel are exempt from the rigorous Government of Japan auto inspection law. Constant care is required to prevent rapid deterioration. Adequate repair service can be obtained from PX and local garages. The current PX self-service price for unleaded gas is a little higher than those in the U.S.; there is no leaded gasoline.

Transportation

Local Transportation Last Updated: 1/18/2005 0:34 AM

The public transportation systems of Japan’s major cities are among the most modern in Asia and include excellent trains, extensive subway systems, and buses. All cities have an abundance of taxis. As in all heavily populated areas, transportation facilities are overtaxed, particularly during rush hours. Japan Railway (JR) electric trains link the major parts of Tokyo with outlying towns and cities, and the subway system crisscrossing Tokyo is the most inexpensive transportation in the city. Osaka has a JR loop line, and subway systems are also located in Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. Bus service links subway and loop train lines in Tokyo and is the system of local transportation in cities and towns throughout Japan. Signs and directions in subway and railway stations in the major cities usually appear in English as well as Japanese, making subway and rail travel relatively simple for the non-Japanese-speaking traveler.

Cruising taxis are plentiful. Taxis are safe and clean, though not inexpensive. Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so have directions to your destination written in Japanese. Most hotels have these instructions at the front desk to assist their guests in returning to the hotel. Taxi doors are operated by the driver, opening and closing automatically. Taxis are metered; the charge in Tokyo is Y660 for the first 2 kilometers plus Y80 for each additional 274 meters. There are additional charges for slow movement in traffic and late-night service. Consumption tax is added to the total fare amount. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Last Updated: 1/18/2005 0:39 AM

Most of the country is served by the JR system. The Shinkansen (popularly known as the bullet train) is a familiar sight speeding across the Japanese countryside connecting Tokyo and many of the larger cities throughout Japan. These and other express and local trains combine to form a vast rail network that is heavily used. Sleeping, dining, and first-class (green) coaches are available on the main lines. Trains maintain strict schedules, and the personnel are polite and efficient. Porters or redcaps are available at all principal stations although they are extremely few in number. Their charges range from Y200 to Y300 per piece of baggage or more if the baggage is extremely heavy.

Most of the major international airlines and a number of steamship companies provide service to Japan. Domestic air travel is quite extensive. Several domestic airlines operate to all the major cities in Japan; airbus service has been instituted between Tokyo and several cities. The airport used for domestic travel is Haneda, 23 kilometers from Tokyo. Rapid monorail or bus service is available from Haneda to downtown Tokyo locations, and taxis are plentiful. The taxi fare is around Y6,500.

The new Tokyo International Airport at Narita, about 77 kilometers from Tokyo, is used for all international flights (except those of China Airlines, the Republic of China national carrier that operates from Haneda). Surface transportation from Narita into the city is commonly via limousine bus directly to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT) or by taxi. Train service is also available, but its use is not recommended for the newcomer due to the complicated connections. Transit time by bus and taxi can be time consuming, at least 1-1/2 hours, often more, depending on traffic conditions on the heavily congested highways serving the airport from central Tokyo. The airport limousine bus fare is ¥3,000, and taxi fare is approximately ¥27,000, including toll charges.

Many express toll roads are excellent. Almost all roads are paved. The main roads are generally in good condition, the secondary roads are more inclined to be narrow and winding.

Communications

Telephones and Telecommunications Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Overseas calls can be direct dialed from the Embassy or compound using either the International Voice Gateway (IVG) or any of several American and Japanese carriers. To obtain the lowest possible rates, bring a telephone credit card from AT&T, MCI, or SPRINT. These carriers also provide International Long Distance service from any phone within Japan. Fax service is available for both official and personal messages through fax number (813) 3505-1862.

Telephone service, through the Embassy telephone system, is provided to each unit on the housing compound. There is a telecommunications charge for both this service and cable TV. Charges for long-distance calls are additional.

International telegrams can be sent from any Kokusai Denshin Denwa (KDD) office in any leading city, any local telegraph or telephone office, and most hotels.

Communications

Mail and Pouch Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Postal rates for ordinary letters addressed within Japan are ¥80 and for ordinary postcards ¥50. International postal rates to the U.S. for airmail letters are ¥110 for the first 25 grams; postcards ¥70, aerogram ¥90, and printed matter up to 20 grams ¥80 plus ¥40 for each additional 2 grams. Mail via the Army and Air Force Postal Service (APO) arrives daily. The APO provides full service, including express mail service. The mail transit times for first-class mail varies from 6 to 10 days. Third- and fourth-class mail is received by surface and may take 3 weeks to 1 month. The Department pouch can be used only for official mail. Letters and packages under 70 pounds can be sent through APO channels by either Express, Priority, SAM, or PAL service.

Address all mail through the APO facilities as follows:

(Name) American Embassy Box* Unit 45004 APO AP 96337-5004

Insert correct box number for the office to which you are assigned from the list below:

OFFICE BOX

ADM 209 AGRI 226 AMB 200 DAO 222 ATO 241 CONS 205 CUSTOMS 221 DCM 218 DEA 224 DOE 219 E/MIN 243 ECLO 268 ECON 203 EST 235 EWA 238 FAA 207 FCS 204 FINAT 216 FISH 217 FMC 213 FUKUOKA 242 GSO 212 HU 214 IMO 275 INS 231 IPC 230 IRS 208 ISC 234 ITC 233 LABOR 232 LEGATT 223 MDO 225 MLCO 237 MLG 220 MSG 206 NAGOYA 280 NASA 272 NSF 236 OSAKA 239 PCO 227 PER 211 POL 201 POL/T 264 PSU 228 RAS 202 RES 257 RSO 210 SAPPORO 276 SARRG 274 PAS 215 USTC 229

Pouch address for Tokyo is as follows:

Department of State 9800 Tokyo Place (or Pl.) Washington, D.C. 20521-9800

Communications

Radio and TV Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

The Far East Network (FEN) is an affiliate of the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Network. FEN broadcasts 24 hours daily in English with the latest news, music, and sports events (AM 810).

Japanese radio stations present a variety of classical and popular music on both AM and FM. Japanese FM radios operate on a lower frequency spectrum of 76 MHz to 90 MHz rather than the U.S. frequencies of 88 MHz to 108 MHz. It is impossible to convert a U.S. receiver for Japanese frequencies; so if you wish to receive most Japanese stations, you will need to buy a domestic receiver.

The compound TV cable system currently offers nine channels of audio programming that can be received on the U.S. FM band. Included in the nine is the most popular English-language Japanese station.

TV in Japan has reached the highest levels of technical sophistication. TV is broadcast in stereo, bilingual multiplex, high-definition, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS). Of the many channels available, two government non-commercial channels (NHK) broadcast high-quality programs that include public service, sports, and music events. The program content of the commercial networks varies little from channel to channel with a large emphasis on entertainment, musicals, and quiz programs. They do broadcast in stereo.

Movies and U.S. TV series are often transmitted with a unique bilingual soundtrack. Several hours of bilingual programming, including live news broadcasts are transmitted daily.

The Embassy compound TV cable system is US NTSC and includes Japanese channels as well as many popular English-language movie, sports, and news channels. In addition to four video and eight audio channels from the AFRTS satellite feed, the system also shows CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network, and programming from various other sources. The TV frequencies on the compound have been adjusted to permit a standard American TV to receive all available Japanese and foreign-language channels.

Off-compound residents will have access to satellite TV companies, including "Direct TV" and "Perfect TV" as well as the Japanese broadcast stations. Off-compound residents who expect to use the TV as a source of entertainment may have to consider the purchase of a domestic TV and/or VCR to meet minimum needs.

Communications

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Five English-language daily newspapers are published in Tokyo—the Japan Times, the Daily Yomiuri, the Mainichi Daily News, the Asahi Evening News, and the U.S. Army’s Stars and Stripes. Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan’s major financial daily, has a weekly English-language edition. Home delivery is available for all of these newspapers. The Asian Wall Street Journal, published in Hong Kong, is also available daily.

American magazines arrive from a few days to a month after publication. The most popular periodicals are available in Stars and Stripes bookstores, military exchanges, major hotels, or by subscription. Asian editions of Newsweek and Time are published in Tokyo and are promptly available by subscription or at major newsstands.

American Embassy personnel and their dependents may borrow books from the Embassy library in the Embassy apartment compound, U.S. military base libraries, and the American Center. The Center also has excellent periodical and reference collections. Large Japanese bookstores and bookstores in major hotels carry a wide selection of English-language books. Books also can be purchased at the Sanno Hotel, Stars and Stripes, and at military base exchanges.

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Tokyo. The Health Unit is located in the Chancery and is staffed by a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, administrative assistant and regional psychiatrist. The psychiatrist and nurse practitioner have regional responsibilities and are absent from post on occasion. Primary care outpatient services are available for employees and eligible family members covered under the Department of State Medical Program.

Medical administrative support for all the Consulates and Consulates General is provided through this office. The regional medical officer is posted to Manila and makes periodic visits to Tokyo and the Consulates and Consulates General in Japan.

Primary care services include, but are not limited to, confidential consultation (diagnosis and treatment), immunizations, urgent/minor emergencies, health promotion, and related health services. There are no laboratory or radiology facilities in the Health Unit.

The Health Unit staff can assist in making referrals to U.S. military facilities and medical facilities in the Tokyo area. For Tokyo residents, the minimum of a 3–4 hour round-trip commute is required to get to a U.S. military facility in the area, namely U.S. Air force Hospital at Yokota, U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center at Yokosuka, U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center at Yokohama, and the U.S. Army Health Clinic at Camp Zama. The U.S. military facility, in the Fukuoka area is the U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center at Sasebo. The U.S. Naval Regional Medical Center on Okinawa is available to personnel in Naha. All outpatient medical expenses are the responsibility of the employee. Payment is expected at the time service is given.

Obtain appropriate medical/hospitalization insurance prior to your arrival. The Office of Medical Services acts only as a secondary insurance payer. Direct questions concerning eligibility for coverage under the Department of State Medical Program to the Office of Medical Services, Department of State (202) 663-1662.

Many English-speaking Japanese physicians, with U.S. post-graduate training, as well as Western doctors, maintain private practices in Tokyo. An up-to-date listing is available from the Health Unit. Local hospitals and clinics range from older facilities to very modern medical centers. Language continues to be a frustrating barrier in many facilities.

Completing the following "to do" list will make your transition to Japan easier:

Make sure you and eligible family members have a current medical clearance. Upon arrival in Tokyo, make an appointment for a Health Unit briefing. Handcarry your medical records to post and bring a copy of your current medical clearance to the briefing. Handcarry all pertinent medical reports and evaluations especially for children with learning disabilities. There are few resources for children with special learning needs. Start the ad-mission process to schools early. Update your immunizations before arriving at post. The Health Unit stocks a limited supply of prescription medications for acute illness. Bring an adequate supply of over-the-counter medications and long-term prescription medications. Do not pack prescription medications in your check-in luggage. Handcarry your prescription medications. The Health Unit stocks fluoride supplements for children. Check with the Health Unit regarding appropriate dosages. Individuals enrolled in a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO) will find it difficult to use this coverage overseas. Individuals that are members of a PPO or HMO should consider changing insurance policies before arriving to Tokyo. Bring a hot-steam humidifier(s) for dry winter weather. Bring a dehumidifier(s) for the hot and humid summer weather. Bring flashlights and emergency first-aid kit(s) for your home and car. Enroll in a first aid and CPR course before arriving to post. Visit your dentist for cleaning and dental check-up before arriving to Tokyo. Dental care in Tokyo is expensive. Okinawa. The U.S. Navy Regional Medical Center at Camp Lester is a modern five-story, 500-bed facility. The hospital provides general medicine and specialty clinics to authorized personnel and their eligible family members. Except for children’s illnesses and emergency care, it can be difficult to obtain appointments for routine outpatient care. Dental care is available on a space-available basis.

The Adventist Medical Center provides an alternative for dental and medical care at Camp Lester. It is a modern, well-run facility staffed by American or American-trained missionary physicians and dentists from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Full payment in yen at the time of service is expected.

Osaka-Kobe. There are excellent medical resources in Osaka-Kobe. Hospitals providing OB/GYN and pediatric services are located 30 minutes from the housing compound. Physical exams can be done at Kobe Kaisei Hospital. Serious medical problems are referred to appropriate medical specialists.

Yokosuka Naval Hospital, the nearest DOD facility with sophisticated medical capabilities, is 4 hours away by train or taxi. Inexpensive overnight housing may be available at the base.

Sapporo. English-speaking, U.S.-trained doctors and dentists are available to Consulate General personnel. Sapporo has two university hospitals for emergency and routine care.

Health and Medicine

Community Health Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

General health conditions in Japan are similar to those in the U.S. The city water supply, in all major cities, is potable. Sewage and garbage disposal facilities are adequate. The country has no special pest or vermin problems.

Air pollution has been a problem in Tokyo over the years, but an active anti-pollution program has reduced the problem significantly. Nevertheless, the summer heat and humidity will exacerbate respiratory ailments such as asthma.

In recent years, tuberculosis (TB) has been on a sharp increase in Japan. Employees and eligible family members are encouraged to have annual TB skin testing (PPD).

Health and Medicine

Preventive Measures Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Endemic diseases are not prevalent and no particular preventive measures need be taken beyond updating routine immunizations. The water is not fluoridated. The Health Unit stocks fluoride supplements for children posted in Tokyo and the Consulates and Consulates General.

No immunizations are required to enter Japan.

Employment for Spouses and Dependents Last Updated: 7/13/2004 1:38 AM

Several Eligible Family Member (EFM) appointments are available. Spouses and dependents are employed in positions in the Community Liaison Office (CLO) as well as other sections and agencies. Other employment opportunities include temporary secretarial or clerical assistance when needed to cover staff assignment gaps, home leave or periods of long illness. Amid the activities sponsored by EWA (Employee Welfare Association), a variety of part-time jobs may also be available.

Embassy spouses have in the past worked in a wide range of occupations locally, depending upon their expertise and educational background. The CLO periodically receives information from various business and private sector sources about careers and employment in Japan. Family members with special qualifications may wish to contact the CLO for assistance in finding employment. English-language editing and/or teaching are the most frequently available positions on the local economy.

Please note that only spouses of Embassy employees with diplomatic or official status are permitted to work on the local economy without having to obtain a working visa. They must, however, obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Justice through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before accepting any employment that does not conflict with their diplomatic or official status. An exception to this might be if a spouse is currently employed outside of Japan and intends to continue work with the same company in Japan. In these cases, you are advised to contact the post with particulars.

In addition, spouses must, before accepting employment, obtain from their prospective employers, a written statement or contract that describes the position, the period of employment, number of working hours per week, the proposed salary, a resume (curriculum vitae), and a statement indicating the reasons for wishing to accept a particular job. Upon receiving these documents, once approved by the M/C for Management Affairs, the Embassy Human Resources Office will initiate the process to assist spouses in obtaining a work permit. Please note that the Ministry of Justice through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles employment requests on a case-by-case basis. An official response, (approval or disapproval) requires 4–6 weeks.

Note: During the actual working hours that spouses are employed as stipulated by the work permit, they relinquish their immunity from judicial process in matters relating to their employment. Working spouses are subject to payment of Japanese taxes derived from their employment.

Summer employment opportunities may also be available for teens at lease 16 yrs of age and college students 18 to 22 yrs of age returning to Japan for vacation under the auspices of the Embassy. For more info on the summer hire program, contact Post CLO.

The Employee Welfare Association (EWA) has also offered some part-time and full-time jobs for Embassy dependents during the summer. These jobs include day-care providers and summer camp counselors.

American Embassy - Tokyo

Post City Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:42 PM

Tokyo is at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Kanto Plain, the largest level area in Japan. The city proper covers 221 square miles; the 796-sq.mi. metropolitan area occupies sea level stretches along the bay and rivers, as well as hilly areas further inland, which include several suburban towns and cities. The metropolitan area population is now over 14 million.

Tokyo developed originally around a feudal castle built during the 16th century. Toward the end of that century, a great feudal lord named Tokugawa Iyeyasu ruled this castle and the surrounding area. In 1603, after a series of civil wars, he set himself up as a military dictator of all Japan and administered his rule from Edo, which later was called Tokyo. Under succeeding Tokugawa rulers, the city grew in importance and became the area’s leading commercial center.

Tokyo has been, for all practical purposes, the capital of Japan since 1603, although the imperial court in the ancient capital of Kyoto maintained nominal authority until 1868. The court moved to Tokyo and a Western-style government was established in the 1860s.

Tokyo is also the financial, commercial, industrial, communications, and educational center of Japan. It has over 7,900 factories or plants with 30 or more employees, 102 4-year colleges and universities, and 28 daily newspapers. Tokyo is Japan’s most international city with more than 122,500 foreign residents, including more than 14,000 Americans. Most foreign companies doing business in Japan have their headquarters here.

Tokyo is a vital city of striking contrasts of confusion and calm. Business and residential properties are side by side, giving a patchwork quilt impression. It has lovely parks and shrines, broad thoroughfares, modern office buildings and hotels, expressways, and department stores like those in other large cities. But beyond these lies another world of narrow streets, markets, theaters, restaurants, and Japanese-style houses that make Tokyo a unique city.

The Post and Its Administration Last Updated: 7/13/2004 1:50 AM

The U.S. Mission in Japan, under the direction of the Ambassador, consists of the Embassy, USAID, FAS, FCS, and about 23 other U.S. Government agencies in Tokyo; Consulates General in Naha, Okinawa; Osaka-Kobe; and Sapporo; Consulates in Fukuoka and Nagoya; FSI Yokohama and PAS centers in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka. Headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan is at nearby Yokota Air Base and various commands are located throughout the mainland and on Okinawa. The Ambassador is responsible for assuring that all U.S. programs and activities are coordinated to achieve U.S. policy objectives.

The 12-story Chancery, on the same site used by chanceries since the late 1800s, was completed and occupied in 1976. This modern office building houses all elements of the Mission except the following, which are separately located in areas of the city where they are more accessible to clientele they serve: the U.S. Trade Center, the American Center, and the Agricultural Trade Office.

Newly assigned personnel travel to Japan by air. New arrivals are met at the airport if the Embassy receives firm flight information and if the arrival date is on a regularly scheduled work day during normal operating hours. Note that you will cross the international date line en route to Tokyo. Notify the Embassy Management or Human Resources Office or the office of your agency as soon as your travel plans are firm. If hotel reservations are necessary, arrangements can be made. If for some reason you are not met, take the airport bus to the downtown Tokyo City Air Terminal. Then call the Embassy’s transportation secretary, 3224-5764 during working hours (or the Marine Guard, 3224-5605) after hours. Office hours are from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

On the first work day after your arrival, report to the Embassy Human Resources Office to initiate check-in procedures. You will need Embassy identification cards for access to the Embassy, commissary, and military facilities. Bring your passports and photos with you to expedite the administrative processing. You need four 2" x 2" photos for identification cards issued by the Foreign Office and one 1" x 1-l/2" photo for a driver’s license.

Since it takes a minimum of 1 week to obtain a Japanese driver’s license after all forms are completed and photos received, bring an international drivers license if you plan on driving an official vehicle within the first few weeks after arrival. Vehicle registration takes approximately 2 weeks.

Housing

Temporary Quarters Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:43 PM

Employees of State, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agriculture Service, and the Defense Attaché Office are assigned government-owned quarters and every effort is made for them to move directly into their assigned unit upon arrival. Some will be required to move into a temporary apartment at the Mitsui Housing Compound while their permanent quarters are made ready. Employees of other agencies generally live in leased apartments on the economy and may stay in temporary quarters for 2 months or longer. Their temporary quarters may be on the Mitsui Housing Compound (if space is available) or in a hotel.

Housing

Permanent Housing Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:44 PM

The U.S. Government-owned Ambassador’s residence adjacent to the Chancery is a historic and stately building with attractive gardens and a swimming pool. Large representational reception and dining areas are on the ground floor, and the Ambassador’s private quarters and ample guest suites are on the second floor. The DCM’s home, located about one kilometer from the Chancery, is large, with ample reception and dining areas, patio and garden to accommodate the representational needs of the Deputy Chief of Mission.

The Mitsui Housing Compound, located on a landscaped 11-acre hill within a 15-minute walk from the Chancery, comprises 171 apartment and townhouse units in five separate buildings. These U.S. Government-owned units are: Perry Tower (47 apartments), Harris Tower (42 apartments), Grew Tower (42 apartments), Mitsui Townhouses (14 units), and Temple Townhouses (28 units). The grounds include a large-covered swimming pool that is open year round, a multipurpose building (gymnasium and exercise/weight room), tennis courts, children’s playground, gardens and ponds between the tower buildings, a recreation hall (housing a racquetball court, a martial arts practice room, a youth game room, and a large multipurpose room with a fully equipped kitchen) and parking for residents and a limited number of guests in a covered garage. Housing for the Embassy Marine Security Guards, an outdoor basketball court, and a domestics’ dormitory building are also on the compound.

All personnel of State, FCS and the Defense Attach‚ Office are assigned housing on the compound. Employees of other agencies may be offered housing depending upon availability; typically they live on the economy in government-leased quarters.

Post has an active Inter-Agency Housing Board, with representatives of both foreign affairs and non-foreign affairs agencies as members. The Government-Owned (GO), Government-Leased (STL), and privately leased (LQA) housing programs are administered in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Foreign Affairs Manual (6 FAM 700).

Embassy housing on the Mitsui Compound includes both apartments and townhouses, ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom units. It must be emphasized that housing assignments are determined by availability, family size, and position/rank.

Storage facilities are extremely limited. Official storage space is also extremely limited and the General Services Office does not remove government furnishings from apartments in order to make space for personal effects. New personnel should avoid shipping any major items of furniture. Even those bringing well under the authorized 7,200 lbs. may find that they cannot fit all of their belongings in their apartment. Especially single employees assigned to positions at grades FS-5 or GS-9 and below and couples with no children may be assigned to quarters considerably smaller than those they have lived in at other posts. All employees are encouraged to check with their sponsor, the General Services Office, or the Community Liaison Office with questions concerning the size of their apartment before shipping their household effects.

The three towers—Perry, Harris, and Grew—are 14 stories tall, each containing 42–47 furnished, centrally heated and air-conditioned apartments. The vast majority of units are two-level, with internal stairs linking separate living-dining and sleeping areas. The towers have 23 one-bedroom units with about 1,000 square feet gross floor space. These units are generally assigned to single personnel working in positions at grades FS-5 or GS-9 and below. The one-bedroom units are comparable to small one-bedroom apartments in the Washington, D.C. area. The 57 two-bedroom units have 950 to 1,250 square feet gross. They are assigned to couples and single personnel at the higher grades. The 22 three-bedroom units in the towers are 2,000 to 2,250 square feet. Ranging in size from 3,000 to 4,700 square feet, the 27 four-bedroom units in the towers include penthouse apartments for heads of the foreign affairs agencies.

Perry Tower (47 apartments) has 7 four-bedroom units with floor space ranging from 3,082 to 4,782 sq. ft. gross (286 to 444 sq. meters); 8 three-bedroom units of 2,009 to 2,251 sq. ft. (187 to 209 sq. meters); 19 two-bedroom units of 1,388 to 1,702 sq. ft. (129 to 158 sq. meters); and 13 one-bedroom units of 956 to 1,256 sq. ft. (88 to 117 sq. meters). All units are centrally heated/air-conditioned.

Harris Tower and Grew Tower (42 apartments each) each have 10 four-bedroom units, 7 three-bedroom units, 19 two-bedroom units, and 6 one-bedroom units with floor spaces similar to those in Perry Tower. All units are centrally heated and air-conditioned. On the ninth floor of each tower building is a common terrace for entertainment purposes.

Mitsui Townhouses (four story, 14 units) have seven four-bedroom units with an average floor space of 2,600 sq. ft. and seven three-bedroom units of 2,400 sq. ft. There is a car port and a small rock garden on the ground level of these units. Each unit is individually heated/air-conditioned and hot water is supplied from a hot water heater/storage tank in the machine room of each unit.

Temple Townhouses (three story, 28 units) has 14 four-bedroom units with floor space of 2,800 sq. ft. a patio on the ground level, and a large attic on the top floor; 14 three-bedroom units of 2,150 sq. ft. each with a 450 sq. ft. patio. All units are centrally heated/air-conditioned. Parking is one floor below for all Temple Townhouse dwellers.

All housing units on the compound are equipped with at least one electric oven/range, dishwasher, and refrigerator in the kitchen and an electric clothes washer and dryer in the laundry room. A small storage cage, located on the basement level of the three tower buildings, is allocated for each unit with the exception of the four bedroom units in the three towers, the four-bedroom units in Temple Townhouses, and all Mitsui Townhouse units.

Each of the towers is connected to the parking area under Temple Townhouses by an underground tunnel. The compound control center is staffed by contractors 24 hours daily with an English-speaking attendant to handle emergency calls. During work hours, Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings, a buildings operations contractor manager is on duty. The Embassy provides groundskeeping and custodial services in the compound’s public areas.

Mitsui Compound residents who are housed in units that contain domestic employee quarters must house their domestic employees in these quarters. Those living on the compound without domestic employee quarters in their apartments may apply for space for their domestic employee in the dormitory on the compound.

Personnel who are not assigned to State, Foreign Agricultural Service, Foreign Commercial Service, and DAO should check with their parent agencies to determine whether housing will be leased by the agency or by the individual employee and what furniture or furnishings will be provided.

Housing available for rent is generally smaller in scale than that found in the U.S. Both apartments and houses normally have central heating and apartments in most cases also have central air-conditioning. Apartments leased for Embassy personnel normally have adequate Western-style major appliances.

Housing

Furnishings Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:45 PM

The Ambassador’s residence and DCM’s home are fully furnished with basic furniture; lamps, draperies, carpets or area rugs are provided. Each house has complete kitchen and laundry facilities. These residences are also provided representational china, crystal, silverware and table, bed, and bath linens.

The Mitsui Compound housing units have basic living, dining, and bedroom furniture. A typical apartment will be furnished with a sofa, love seat, occasional chairs, coffee and end tables, lamps, dining room table and chairs, buffet, and queen-sized bed in the master bedroom and twin beds in the other bedrooms. A microwave oven and vacuum cleaner is also provided for each unit. Small electrical appliances, dishes, silverware, kitchen utensils, and the like are not provided.

Do not ship major furniture items or major appliances since the post has very limited storage facilities. No undue influences of climate normally affect furnishings you may wish to bring. However, extreme dryness in winter and high humidity in summer make humidifiers and dehumidifiers useful items for personal comfort.

U.S. Government-leased or Privately leased Quarters. Most rental housing is unfurnished or only partially furnished. If you must ship your own furniture, keep in mind the somewhat smaller scale of local construction, which may preclude the use of large overstuffed furniture or outsize cupboards or chests. Climatic factors do not normally preclude shipment of any particular type of furniture of furnishings. However, for personal comfort a humidifier and dehumidifier are suggested. If you plan to purchase any major appliances, basic furniture pieces, or general household furnishings for use here, the military exchanges in the area generally carry a stock of these items. Prices on the local market are higher than U.S. prices, but those at the exchanges are comparable. The exchanges also carry a limited range of U.S. brand small appliances (toasters, mixers, fans, vacuum cleaners, irons), china, glassware, cutlery, kitchenware, and lamps as well as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, and dishwashers.

Telephone service is readily available throughout the city. American touch-tone phones will work on the Japanese system.

Ship your airfreight at least 10 work days before you leave to assure that it will be here when you arrive. Pack items you will need until your household affects (HHE) arrive. The Embassy lends Welcome Kits to new arrivals assigned to the Mitsui Housing Compound. Kits contain basic dishes, flatware, kitchen utensils, linens, and blankets. A limited number of infant cribs are also available. Infant food sterilizers, cribs, and high chairs may be shipped under existing regulations in airfreight or unaccompanied baggage (UAB) as part of the overall airfreight weight allowance. Layette items are available at the military bases.

Housing

Utilities and Equipment Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:45 PM

Electricity in Tokyo is single phase 100 or 200 volts, 50 cycles (HZ) electric current. All homes on the Mitsui compound are supplied with 117 volt, 50-cycle electric current, and the wall receptacles (electric outlets) are U.S. standard and will accept two blade electric plugs and two blade with ground prong plugs (NEMA spec. 5-15). Most U.S.-manufactured appliances will operate satisfactorily as long as they will tolerate 50-cycle electric current. Electric timing devices and clocks that are designed for standard U.S. 60-cycle electric current may not operate properly on 50-cycle electricity. Most appliances manufactured for Tokyo use require 100 volt, 50-cycle electric current and some require a stepdown transformer if operated in Mitsui compound residences.

Food Last Updated: 1/19/2005 10:41 PM

Most food items available in the U.S. can be obtained in Tokyo, either through the Employee’s Welfare Association (EWA), military commissaries, or on the local market at higher prices.

The EWA convenience store, located on the Embassy housing compound, carries a variety of grocery items, dairy products, frozen foods, frozen meats, household and cleaning supplies, toiletries, some stationery items, soft drinks, beer, and alcoholic beverages. Commissaries at the nearby military bases are comparable to U.S. supermarkets. The small commissary at Hardy Barracks resembling a 7-11 store is approximately 10 minutes away from the Housing Compound by car and carries a limited stock of basic grocery items. The New Sanno Hotel also has a small shoppette. Throughout the city one can conveniently locate greengrocers, convenience-type stores, and large modern supermarkets.

All personnel assigned to the Mission are accorded access to military facilities that include, in addition to the outlets mentioned above, commissaries and exchanges at Yokohama, Yokota, Atsugi, Zama, Sagamihara, and Yokosuka in the Tokyo area. Access to the EWA convenience store and other EWA-operated facilities is granted to all EWA members. The annual membership dues in 2005 are $40 for a single, $80 for a family of two or single parent, and $120 for a family of three or more.

Clothing Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

General. Bring a four-season wardrobe for all family members. Winter clothing is advised for the cold and damp winter months. Summer in Tokyo can be very hot and humid. Raincoats and umbrellas are essential.

Local department and specialty stores carry a variety of Western-style clothes and imported items from the design centers of the world for both men and women but are generally available in sizes unique to the Japanese physique and are very expensive. Excellent quality silks, woolens, and various synthetics are available.

Shoes for men, women and children are available locally but it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to find the proper size. Shoe sizes are shorter and wider than in the U.S.

Although the military exchanges carry clothing and shoes for men, women, and children, the supply and variety are limited, and quality runs from average to poor. This is a good source for fill-in items but not recommended as the main supply source. Catalog and internet shopping are essential for most families.

If you need special sizes or particular brands in clothing and shoes in order to be properly fitted, bring them with you. Office dress as well as sports and casual attire follow Washington or U.S. standards. Social functions are not extremely dressy. Simple good taste is the best criterion.

Clothing

Men Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

The accepted attire for dinner parties, unless otherwise stated, is a business suit. Black tie is the usual formal attire. Senior officers may occasionally need a morning coat and striped trousers. These items, top hats and other accessories can be rented locally.

Clothing

Women Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

An afternoon dress, a simple long dress, or long skirt and top are suitable for the frequent cocktail parties, receptions, and buffet dinners. Formal attire is a floor-length dress. Bring at least one full skirt (either long or short) that would be appropriate for dining in Japanese restaurants or homes where guests sit on tatami mats on the floor.

Clothing

Children Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

A variety of children’s clothing is available; sizes are not a big problem but prices are high.

Supplies and Services

Supplies Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

The following items are available through the military exchanges at comparable or lower than U.S. prices as well as on the local market but at higher prices: toiletries for men and women, cosmetics, feminine personal supplies, tobacco items, home medicines and drugs; common household items, including minor repair materials; and entertainment supplies such as candles, napkins, invitations, tablecloths, centerpieces, decorations, and cards for all occasions. The EWA commissary also carries some of the above items.

Supplies and Services

Basic Services Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

All basic services—laundry, drycleaning, barber and beauty shops, shoe, and automobile repair—are available both at the military facilities and on the local market. Barber facilities are in the Chancery. A beauty shop and drycleaning facilities are located on the housing compound.

Supplies and Services

Domestic Help Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

The number and type of domestics varies with the obligations and living pattern of the employee. Some employees utilize full-time live-in domestics, while others (particularly those without child care needs) find that a part-time maid 1 or 2 days a week is sufficient in Tokyo’s compact and well-equipped apartments. Most English-speaking domestics who work on the housing compound do so on a part-time basis for several persons each week. The hourly rate for part-time domestics is approximately ¥1,000. Salaries for full-time domestics vary but generally you can expect to pay $1,000-$1,500 per month.

There is a dormitory for domestics on the Mitsui Housing Compound that is available on a space-available basis for domestics sponsored by employees living on the compound. To qualify for the dormitory, employees who will be sponsoring domestic employees must employ them for 24 hours or more per week and the domestic must work at least 40 hours per week for Embassy employees or affiliated organizations.

Domestics are covered by Japanese national health insurance but are not covered by unemployment insurance. Many employers assume partial obligation for doctors’ bills and for the placement of a domestic in another position when they leave Japan. Those who sponsor non-Japanese domestics are responsible for assuring their departure from Japan if not placed with a qualified sponsor.

Teenage dependents of Embassy employees and part-time maids are available as babysitters when those services are needed on compound for an hourly rate of ¥1,000. Off compound, the cost could be more. Teenagers charge from ¥500 per hour depending on age and experience while part-time maids charge ¥1,000 per hour.

Employees planning to bring domestic help to post must consult with the General Services Office prior to making transportation arrangements, and with the Human Resources Office regarding visa requirements for non-Japanese domestics.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the authority to issue visas for the third-country nationals. Visas must be obtained outside Japan. The length of the procedures and the restrictions differ case by case. The Ministry of Justice permits the status of residence. The category of their status is the same as their given category of visas.

Religious Activities Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

English-language services are available in the Tokyo and Yokohama areas for members of most denominations.

Religions represented include Roman Catholic, Baptist, Seventh-day Adventist, Episcopal, Mormon, Christian Scientist, Lutheran, Interdenominational, Jewish, and Interdenominational Charismatic. The churches offer a variety of fellowship for all age groups and combined programs to provide services for the benefit of the foreign community in the area.

Education

Dependent Education

At Post Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM Tokyo has a wide selection of excellent schools that provide education comparable to that available in the best schools in the U.S. and elsewhere. The school styles range from open classroom to more structured approaches; sports, music, drama, and other outside activities are provided in varying degrees. Graduates from the schools in the area have no difficulty being accepted by the best U.S. colleges and universities. To accommodate the requirements of children with special needs, parents should be certain to communicate directly with the schools regarding individual educational needs and programs available. The school year is from September to June. It is essential to communicate with the schools as early as possible since competition for spaces is keen. Most schools begin accepting applications for the upcoming school year in November of the current year. Most of the private schools maintain waiting lists. Upon acceptance, many schools require an early commitment on the part of the family and may require a non-refundable deposit. Prior to making any commitment, it is important for families to ensure that they are fully aware of their financial responsibilities and obligations by checking with the school and post. The schools in the Tokyo area most frequently used by Embassy personnel are listed below. Each is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Tuition and other fees, books, and transportation are reimbursable up to the current educational allowance for the post. The cost of expensive uniforms, which are required by many of the schools, is not reimbursable.

A physical examination is required by most of the schools. Keep a copy of the results of the physical examination conducted in connection with your transfer to Japan as this usually will suffice.

The American School in Japan (ASIJ) (1-1, Nomizu 1-chome, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0031, tel: O422-34-5300, fax: O422-34-5308; web address: www.asij.ac.jp; e-mail: enroll@asij.ac.jp) is an independent elementary and secondary school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is an overseas member of the National Association of Independent Schools of the United States and is affiliated with the International Schools Service. Of the 1,400 students, 67% are American, 15% are Japanese and the rest third-country nationals. The curriculum is similar to that of the best U.S. college preparatory schools. In addition, Japanese language and area studies are offered in all grades.

The facilities include an indoor swimming pool, two gymnasiums, theater, laboratories, libraries, and cafeteria. The emphasis is on individualized instruction through the modular schedule in the secondary schools and through employment of team teaching as a means of greater flexibility in the elementary school. The number of graduates who enter colleges is about 98%.

The school is at Chofu in Tokyo’s western suburbs. The school provides bus service from all areas of Tokyo including a stop at the apartment compound, with commuting time running slightly under an hour each way. Train service to within 10 minutes walking distance from the school is also available.

The American School in Japan Nursery-Kindergarten (3-5 age group) (15-5, Aobadai 2-chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042; e-mail: nk@asij.ac.jp). In addition to the kindergarten on the Chofu campus, ASIJ operates a nursery kindergarten Meguro that is about 20 minutes from the housing compound. It accommodates 115 students of several nationalities. The normal school day includes teacher-directed work and activities (music, library, films), rest periods, snack, and outdoor play.

International School of the Sacred Heart (3-1, Hiroo 4-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012; fax: (3) 3400-3496; tel: (3) 3400-3951; web address: www.iac.co.jp/~issh3/; e-mail: issh@gol.com) is an elementary and secondary institution with a student body of about 588 students directed by the Catholic Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it is a school for girls; however, boys are accepted for kindergarten. Around 50 different nationalities are represented in the student body and about 40–50 graduates are admitted to U.S. and Japanese colleges and universities each year. The school plant includes laboratories, gymnasium, and library; sports facilities also are provided. The school is on the Sacred Heart University campus in central Tokyo.

Nishimachi International School (14-7, Moto Azabu 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046; tel: (3) 3451-5520; fax: (3) 3456-0197; web address: www.nishimachi.ac.jp; e-mail: info@-nishimahi.ac.jp) offers instruction from kindergarten through grade 9. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Enrollment is about 400 with an international student body. The curriculum allows easy progression into the international high schools in the Tokyo area. Centrally located in Tokyo, the school has a gym (but no field), a large library, plus a strong Japanese language and active cultural activities programs. It generally requires early application for admission since there is usually a waiting list, particularly in the lower grades.

Seisen International School for Girls (12-15, Yoga l-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0097; fax: (3) 3701-1033; tel: (3) 3704-2661; web address: www.seisen.com; e-mail: sisnfo@jap.com) is a girls’ elementary and secondary school accredited by the Western Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges and operated by the Catholic order, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Boys are accepted for kindergarten. Enrollment is around 645, representing 60 nationalities. The emphasis in the secondary school is college preparatory with an extracurricular program of arts, drama, journalism, music, and sports. Some 94% of graduates enter college. The school is in Tokyo, convenient to public buses, subways, and trains.

St. Mary’s International School (6-19, Seta l-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-8668; fax: (3) 3707-1950; tel: (3) 3709-3411; web address: www.smistokyo.com; e-mail: jutra@twics.com) is sponsored by the Catholic order, Brothers of Christian Instruction. It is an elementary and secondary boy’s school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges with an enrollment of 900, representing some 70 nationalities. The school has a preschool (5 years), but there is a waiting list. The secondary school curriculum is college preparatory, and participation in sports and extracurricular activities including music, arts, drama, and journalism is emphasized. The international Baccalaureate program is offered in the high school. The facilities include a gymnasium, indoor pool, laboratories, library, and cafeteria. Almost all graduates enter American colleges. Bus service is provided by the school. In addition, train, subway, and public bus service to the school is excellent.

Tokyo International Learning Community (6-3-50 Osawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-0015, Tel: 0422-31-9611; fax: 0422-31-9648; web address: www.tilc.org; e-mail: tilc@gol.com) Established in 1987, Tokyo International Learning Community was set up by concerned parents and professionals in Tokyo’s English-speaking community to support the education of students with special needs.

Its staff now consists of four full-time teachers and over 10 other staff members, including an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a speech pathologist, and a psychologist. Based in a seven-room school building in Mitaka, Tokyo International Learning Community has an Early Childhood program for children from newborn to 5 years old with developmental disabilities or difficulties, and their families, as well as an Upper School Program for elementary, middle- and high-school students.

There is a support group for parents of children with special needs. A program for students enrolled in other international schools who are diagnosed as having a learning disability is also available. Services are offered in central Tokyo as well as the Mitaka campus.

The Employee Welfare Association (EWA) operates a preschool program on the Embassy housing compound. Classes are organized by age for children who are 2-, 3- and 4-years old by September 30.

Parents of prospective preschool children are requested to notify Children’s Services by July 15. Please notify The Director, EWA Children’s Services, Unit 45004, Box 238, APO AP 96337-5004; e-mail: ewatokyo@gol.com

The EWA also offers an afternoon playgroup.

Education

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Exceptional opportunities exist in Tokyo for higher education and for training in Japanese arts and crafts. Each institution has its own admission requirements; courses can be followed as part of a degree program or for enrichment.

Sophia University, a Jesuit institution, has an international division that offers accredited courses in English and comparative cultures, leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Both part-time and full-time study is possible, and all courses are in late afternoon or evening.

Temple University Japan, established in the early 1980s, is a branch of Temple University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1987, the school moved into a new building in Shinjuku, which include such facilities as classrooms, a library, a language laboratory, and an auditorium. Temple offers bachelors degrees in the liberal arts and masters degrees in teaching English-as-a-second- language and business administration. Classes take place days and evenings.

International Christian University is about 20 miles from the center of Tokyo. It is an interdenominational school offering courses in English in all of its divisions-humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and languages. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires competency in Japanese, which can be acquired at the university by taking an intensive program. Night courses are not offered.

The University of Maryland, in cooperation with the Armed Forces, offers night courses at the undergraduate and some graduate levels. Although these courses are offered primarily to military personnel, Embassy staff members also are eligible. Courses currently are given at Camp Zama and Yokota Air Force Base. The commuting distance is from 1 to 1-1/2 hours from Tokyo by train.

Many opportunities exist for participation in adult classes in painting, sumie painting, ikebana (flower arrangement), woodcarving, doll making, pottery, and other Japanese crafts. Lessons in Japanese and Chinese cooking, music, and dancing can also be taken.

Recreation and Social Life

Sports Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

The Japanese are sports lovers and participate in virtually every sport popular in the West in addition to their own. The foreigner is welcomed, either as an active participant or as a spectator, and sports are effective avenues for establishing social and informal contacts with the Japanese people.

The most popular spectator sport of Western origin in Japan is baseball; the Tokyo pro teams play to sellout crowds nearly every day in season, and the annual Japan World Series championship team often gives visiting American teams stiff competition. Ranking in spectator popularity is the traditional Japanese wrestling or sumo. Fans include foreigners and Japanese alike, and tickets to the major tournaments held throughout the year are hard to find. Local television broadcasts both baseball and sumo events. Other popular spectator sports include soccer, rugby, gymnastics, swimming and diving competitions, and the Japanese martial arts exhibitions and matches. In addition to judo and karate, the arts include kendo (fencing with bamboo swords), Aikido (self-defense emphasizing physical conditioning and mind over matter), and Japanese longbow archery. You can study any of the martial arts in Tokyo under the most famous instructors. Judo instructions are available to Mission employees on the compound.

Golf is very popular in Japan. The courses are excellent and playable year round. Public courses are relatively few, and membership in the private Japanese clubs is prohibitively expensive. The U.S. military has three 18-hole golf courses at Tama, Zama, and Atsugi, all from 1 to 1-1/2 hours’ drive from downtown Tokyo. Membership is open to all Mission employees and their families, and dues are reasonable. Nonmembers can play by paying a nominal greens fee. The American Embassy Golf Club of Tokyo is open to all American and Japanese employees of the Mission and their dependents. About five tournaments are held each year on Japanese and American holidays at military and Japanese golf courses. Golfers bringing a letter certifying their handicap at a previous golf club will be considered by the handicap committee for an "in-Japan" handicap.

The Embassy has two hard-surface tennis courts (both doubles) on the grounds of the apartment compound. They are lighted for nighttime play. Among the Mission staff and family members is an active group of tennis players. The city has few public tennis and badminton courts. Private clubs have long waiting lists and are expensive. The apartment compound has a racquetball court. Many Japanese recreational centers and clubs feature table tennis.

The major hotels have swimming pools and clubs; memberships are available but costs are relatively high. In the complex of the Olympic sports facilities are two Olympic-sized pools and a high-diving area open to the public. The New Sanno Hotel has an outdoor pool available to Embassy personnel. The apartment compound also has an Olympic-sized pool and a children's wading pool, open year round to all Mission staff and families. The pool has a retractable cover and is heated. Lifeguards are only on duty during the summer months.

Beaches and water in the Tokyo area are polluted. However, nice but crowded beaches are located along the coast south of Tokyo near Kamakura on the Miura Peninsula, on the picturesque Izu Peninsula about 80 miles from Tokyo, and the eastern coast of the Chiba Peninsula about 60 miles from Tokyo. These areas abound in picturesque fishing villages and dramatic scenery.

The Tokyo YMCA has a basketball court, swimming pool, and facilities for volleyball and gymnastics. Also, Tokyo’s Olympic Gymnasium facilities for these sports are open on a limited basis to the public. Bowling is popular in Japan, and Tokyo has many centers. Many Embassy personnel bowl weekly in an Embassy league that has two seasons a year. Several indoor ice skating rinks in the city are open year round and outdoor skating is popular on lakes and rinks outside Tokyo during winter.

The mountain resort areas of Nikko and Hakone have facilities for sailing and water-skiing. Commercial marinas, like Enoshima on Sagami Bay, rent sailboats.

Skiing is excellent in Japan. Many ski areas are to the north and northwest of Tokyo (3–6 hours by train), with areas for beginners and experts. Accommodations range from luxurious lodges to skier dormitories. Equipment can be rented, but large ski boots are difficult to find.

Mountain climbing is also popular; you can join several hiking clubs. Good hiking over mountain trails is within 2 hours by train from Tokyo.

Recreation and Social Life

Touring and Outdoor Activities Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Japan’s rugged and beautiful terrain offers a great deal to outdoor enthusiasts. Most scenic areas, including nearby Nikko and Mt. Fuji, have been incorporated into an extensive national park system. Hiking trails and good camping facilities abound. Hundreds of low-priced hostels exist, many in isolated places. The hostels are open to people of all ages, single or married.

Much of Japan is easily accessible from Tokyo on Japan’s excellent rail transportation system. The historic Kyoto-Nara area, with its hundreds of shrines and their typical Japanese gardens, can be reached by Shinkansen (super express trains) in about 3 hours. Shinkansen to Kyushu, southern Japan, takes about 7 hours. Northern Japan is a day’s journey by train. Domestic airlines will take you to most major cities in Honshu, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and Kyushu or Okinawa within a few hours. Travel by air, rail and car tends to be expensive.

Within hours by car or rail from Tokyo are the many hot-spring mountain resorts of the Hakone Range near Mt. Fuji, beautiful Nikko National Park with its famous shrines of the Tokugawa Shoguns; and northwest of Tokyo, Nagano Prefecture, popular winter sports center. These resort areas offer excellent recreational facilities and fine Western and Japanese-style hotels.

Shimoda, at the tip of the Izu Peninsula (about 3 hours from Tokyo by express train), is of historic interest as the site of the first American Consulate in Japan, opened by Townsend Harris in 1856.

Nearby Tokyo is Kamakura, which is also of great historical interest with its many 12th- and 13th-century shrines and temples and the famed Great Buddha.

Added incentives to travel are the many colorful festivals that take place throughout Japan, especially during the summer. Timing a trip to coincide with a festival or witnessing some of the many festivals held in Tokyo can add greatly to your experience.

In all the major cities and many of the others are Western-style hotels with facilities ranging from acceptable to adequate. A stay in a Japanese-style inn or Ryokan can be most interesting. Ryokans are usually more expensive than first-class Western-style hotels, but the attentive service given guests is almost unequaled anywhere in the world. The guest must be prepared, however, to sleep on tatami mats and eat Japanese food.

Recreation and Social Life

Entertainment Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM

Tokyo is one of the entertainment capitals of the world. It offers an infinite variety of nightlife from the most deluxe and expensive clubs and spectacular music hall revues to jazz coffeehouses and working-class restaurants. Restaurants are everywhere. Hardly a street in the city does not have at least one Japanese restaurant specializing in tempura (shrimp, fish, and various vegetables deep fried in oil), sushi (raw fish or shrimp in a small rice mold wrapped in a special kind of seaweed), and sukiyaki, perhaps the best-known Japanese food among foreigners. Many nice restaurants feature international cuisine or regional specialties (Chinese, French, American, Russian, Italian, Korean, or Spanish). Tokyo also has a variety of fast-food chains, both Japanese and such American favorites as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Shakey’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Pizza Hut. Recent casual restaurant additions include Outback Steakhouse and TGI Friday’s. Prices in the restaurants range from moderate to extremely expensive. One of the best ways to sample the restaurants in Tokyo is at lunchtime when a meal costs half as much when served in the evening.

Tokyo is the center of the Kabuki and Noh theaters. Two major theaters in Tokyo present Kabuki, and usually at least two productions are playing at any one time. Several productions of Noh and the classical Japanese comedy, Kyogen, are shown every week. The famous Bunraku Puppet Theater of Osaka visits Tokyo regularly.

Tokyo has nine symphony orchestras that perform year round, several ballet and opera companies, and many chamber groups and individual artists. With these choices, and with the constant stream of visiting foreign orchestras, ballet and opera companies, and individual artists, it has become one of the world’s music centers. However, ticket prices are expensive.

Tokyo Weekender and Tokyo Classified, periodic publications especially for foreign residents or tourists in the city, present useful information on what is happening in music and the theater in Tokyo and describes various events going on throughout Japan. Copies are available at the Embassy, at the compound commissary, and at the New Sanno Hotel.

Tokyo is also the center of Japan’s contemporary art life. Several museums have fine collections of Japanese and Western arts, and innumerable small galleries present showings of Japanese and foreign artists. The major department stores often sponsor art exhibitions. The Tokyo Museum of Modern Art each year has several large foreign exhibitions of international significance.

The Western Theater in Tokyo attracts much interest and activity. Most foreign plays are translated and presented in Japanese. The Tokyo International Players, an international English-language amateur group, produces several plays and readings during their October–May season. American and other foreign movies, shown with Japanese subtitles, are quite popular in Tokyo. They are, however, expensive. The English-language press carries detailed schedules. American movies are shown on Sunday afternoons and evenings at the New Sanno Hotel.

Photography is a popular hobby for both still and video enthusiasts. The Japanese are avid picture takers, and most foreigners follow suit. Excellent Japanese cameras and accessories are sold at the exchanges at reasonable prices. American film is sold locally and at the exchanges, although Japanese film is also of high quality. The military facilities do an excellent job of developing and printing for black and white film and color negatives, as do outlets on the local economy.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

Among Americans Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM Outside the Embassy community is the Tokyo American Club. It is a large, long-established club to which many in the business community belong. It has a restaurant and swimming pool. Fees are prohibitive.

The New Sanno Hotel, open to U.S. Government civilian employees, has three restaurants and a snack bar, a cocktail lounge, a swimming pool, and offers dancing, night-club shows, special events, and movies.

Social life for employees is comparable to the social life enjoyed in most large U.S. cities. Acquaintances and friends are developed through contacts in the office, at clubs, churches, and through friends.

Recreation and Social Life

Social Activities

International Contacts Last Updated: 7/31/2001 6:00 PM Although opportunities are numerous for making Japanese friends in Tokyo, it does require a positive effort in most cases. This is partly explained by the size of the city, the language barrier, and differences in cultural background and personality between Westerners and Japanese. Although the Japanese are not surprised when Westerners remain aloof in the foreign colony, they are delighted when a foreigner makes an effort to learn about their way of life, e.g., by studying their various art forms, by traveling Japanese-style, etc. One good way to make daily contact with the Japanese more meaningful is to learn some of the language and customs. Many official functions provide opportunities to meet Japanese members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the private community in Tokyo. In addit