PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
Japan/Korea - World Cup
May 23, 2002
This Public Announcement is being issued to inform the American public that
the U.S. Department of State and the American Embassies and Consulates in Japan
and Korea stand ready to provide consular assistance and protection to U.S.
citizens traveling to Japan and Korea for the 2002 World Cup. The 64 matches
will be played at ten venues in Korea and ten venues in Japan. The first match
will take place in Seoul on May 31, and the final match is scheduled to take
place in Yokohama on June 30. This Public Announcement will expire on July 15,
2002.
In order to provide a high level of service to Americans during the matches,
our posts will be open as follows:
American Embassy Tokyo, Japan
Open Monday-Friday, 08:30-12:30, 14:00-16:00.
Tel. 03-3224-5174
Fax 03-3224-5856
After hours emergencies call 03-3224-5000.
Information online at http://worldcup.tokyoacs.com
Services for World Cup venues Ibaraki, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka and Yokohama.
We also assist in Tokyo Americans with problems at Narita and Haneda airports.
American Consulate General Sapporo, Japan
Open Monday-Friday 09:00-17:30
Tel. (011) 641-1115
Fax (011) 643-1283
After hours emergencies call (011) 641-1115
Information online at http://usembassy.state.gov/sapporo
Services for World Cup venues Sapporo and Miyagi
American Consulate General Fukuoka, Japan
Open Monday-Friday 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00
Tel. (092) 751-9331
Fax (092) 713-9222
After hours emergencies call (092) 751-9331
Information online at http://usembassy.state.gov/fukuoka
Services for World Cup venue Oita
American Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, Japan
Open Monday-Friday 9:00-12:30. Routine services will be performed 13:30-17:00
by appointment.
Tel. (06) 6315-5900
Fax (06) 6315-5914
After hours emergencies call (06) 6315-5900
Information online at http://www.senri-i.or.jp/amcon
Services for World Cup venues Osaka and Kobe, and Kansai International Airport.
American Embassy Seoul, Korea
Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
9:30-11:30 AM and 1:30-3:30 PM
Tel. 02-397-4114
Fax 02-397-4101
After hours emergencies call 02-397-4114
Information online at http://www.asktheconsul.org
Staff from the Embassy will be available for emergency services at each U.S.
match in Korea and can be reached at tel. 018-291-1361.
Terrorism and hooliganism are the usual security risks at international sporting
events. Security at World Cup venues is expected to be tight. Americans
should consult the latest Worldwide Caution, issued by the Department of
State on March 17, 2002, for additional details.
People attending matches should arrive early, since extensive baggage and body
checks will be carried out. Spectators should bring their passports to the matches
to speed security checks and to verify ticket holder identity. The police ask
that spectators carry only a minimal amount of personal belongings to speed
the security checks, and that spectators do not bring large or bulky items to
the matches. For a complete list of prohibited items, please refer to the Embassy
Tokyo's web site at http://worldcup.tokyoacs.com for details. Spectators
in Korea can expect similar restrictions.
The Japanese police have announced a "zero-tolerance" policy to deal
with hooliganism. The Korean police have made extensive preparations to deal
strictly with hooligans. In both Japan and Korea, Americans should avoid demonstrations
or large groups where hooligans may congregate. If arrested in Korea or Japan,
bail is almost never available to short-term visitors. The average time from
arrest to a court decision in Japan and Korea is three months, spent in custody.
Instant deportation is also a possibility in Japan.
Japanese and Korean authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers with sophisticated
detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs and other methods. Travelers
and their luggage entering Japan and Korea are screened at ports of entry; incoming
and outgoing mail is also checked carefully. The Japanese and Korean police
make arrests for even the smallest amounts of illegal drugs. Penalties for possession,
use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Japan and Korea are strict, and convicted
offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Recently in Korea,
U. S. citizens have been convicted of drug use solely on the basis of mandatory
drug tests administered after arrest.
For further information on travel to Japan and
Korea, please consult the latest Department of State Consular Information Sheets
at http://travel.state.gov.
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