TRAVEL GUIDE | tomodachischolars

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION ONE

Welcome from Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks and Dr. Maria Elisa Grandone

Congratulations, Tomodachi Inouye Scholars!

You are about to participate in a cultural exchange initiative for which only a select number of students from U.S. universities are invited to attend the Tomodachi Inouye Scholars Program. This summer you enter into the world of international diplomacy. As a student delegation invited to Japan through an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs you represent your family, community, EIS, BCLA, your student organizations and programs, the United States and the Loyola and Marymount Ignation traditions of academic excellence, service of faith and promotion of justice.

Remember also, that you US – Japan Council and the Tomodachi Program the organization and program that selected Loyola Marymount University to participate in this exchange. The US – Japan Council, through the Tomodachi Program is committed to the recovery and rebuilding of the Tohoku Region of Japan following the 2011 Great Earthquake and Tsunami. Dedicated to person-to-person interventions, the Tomodachi Program and the US-Japan Council efforts now expand throughout Japan with particular emphases on women & women’s leadership, children & orphans, and developing entrepreneurial efforts, as well as leadership and cultural exchange.

To be sure, you earned this opportunity through your efforts as student leaders. Collectively you represent the best of LMU. Individually, your stories of achievement and steadfastness in the face of challenge are inspiring. We are honored to serve with and for you.

This trip presents you an incredible opportunity for growth -- growth individually and as importantly together as a group. We urge you to take this opportunity to open yourselves up to the Japan experience and to one another. For some of you this will be your first time traveling “abroad,” for others it is an expansion of your international experience. For all of you, I believe, this is your first visit to Japan. Much of it will feel “foreign.” Some of it will feel familiar. Take heed of both and embrace them. Bring the Ignation tradition of magis to our time together.

This booklet is filled with important information/instructions and helpful tips that will help you feel more prepared and comfortable with the upcoming trip. Please take the time to review this booklet carefully.

Looking forward to an exciting adventure!!!

SECTION TWO

IMPORTANT AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Important Contacts at LMU while we are abroad (PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE):

Associate Vice President for Student Life, Rich Rocheleau: 310-338-6534, rrochele@lmu.edu
Student Affairs Dean’s Office: Lisa Banta: 310-338-3756; Dr. Shannon Faris: 301-568-7157; sfaris@lmu.edu
EIS Department: 310-338-5808; Dr. Maruth Figueroa: 310-338-1880; Maruth.Figueroa@lmu.edu
Public Safety 24 Hour Hotline: 310-338-2893

What to do in case of an emergency:

Do not be afraid to seek help! Remember your health insurance information, as well as that which is provide by Loyola Marymount University
Contact either your LMU staff member with you
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact those back at LMU (see important LMU contacts)

For more information see APPENDIX I– Calling for Help in Tokyo/Japan

SECTION THREE

PREPARING TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS

Read about the Tomodachi Inouye Program and make sure to pack accordingly. Also, don’t forget to check the weather listings prior to packing – Japan weather is slightly different from Los Angeles this time of the year!

Overseas Travel Tips:

Our trip requires careful planning.

Do You Have All Required Travel Documents?

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies your identity and citizenship. Only the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies and Consulates have the authority to issue or verify U.S. passports. Japan requires a valid passport to enter and leave. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to reenter the United States.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

While we are in Japan we will travel with an escort from the Japan Foundation. Our escort is trained to assist us in an emergency. (See Appendix I – Calling for help in Japan/Tokyo for instructions and assistance if you need to contact emergency personnel directly.) However, both Dr. Grandone and I will have contact information for the U.S. Embassy and we have provided that information below, along with information for your family in the event they need to contact you/us in a dire emergency.

Consular duty personnel are available for emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at U.S. embassies, consulates, and consular agencies overseas and in Washington, D.C.

US Embassy, Tokyo, Japan:

If you are an American citizen with a serious emergency, call the Embassy at 03-3224-5000 (011-81-3-3224-5000 from the United States). After normal business hours (08:30 - 17:30 Monday through Friday), you will be directed to an Officer on Duty.

If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency at home or if they are worried about your welfare, they should call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). The State Department will relay the message to the consular officers in the country where you are. The consular officers will then try to locate you, pass on any urgent messages, and, if you wish, report back to your family in accordance with the Privacy Act.

You can read more about what the Department of State can and can’t do for you in an emergency here.

IMPORTANT: While traveling, you are subject to the local laws even if you are a U.S. Citizen.

Luggage, Clothing & Packing

First a few general comments:

We will be attending a variety of events and so you will need to bring appropriate clothing. The Tokyo weather in June is usually hot and humid with frequent rain showers. As we get closer to the departure date we suggest you check the weather forecast just prior to packing. Lastly, our trip is from June 23rd to July 3rd -- laundry service is NOT provided by the grant so please plan accordingly. Travel tip: I often bring a small bottle of Woollite or other similar hand wash detergent packed in checked luggage in case I need to wash small and or delicate items that can dry in the shower during the day.

Luggage:

We suggest one large suitcase, on medium/small suitcase or duffle that could also be used as a carry on, and a carry on backpack or duffle for the plane ride from LA to Tokyo. We will need to re-pack and use the medium suitcase or duffle when we travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima (depart Saturday, June 28 – return Tuesday, July 1). Our large suitcases with unneeded items for Hiroshima will be left at the hotel storage in Tokyo.

o For your airplane carry on & general excursion travel in Japan -- pack light so you can move more quickly and have a free hand when you need it.

o Carry a minimum number of valuables and plan places to conceal them.

o Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity and nationality.

o Avoid packing IDs, tickets and other vital documents (i.e. passport & drivers license) in backpacks or other locations you won't be able to see at all times. These are best kept on your body at all times.

o Do not bring any IDs, credit cards, etc. that you WILL NOT need in Japan.

Appropriate clothing & dress:

You will need both business attire (coat and ties for the men) and business casual. For the women, low-cut dresses, revealing clothing and sandals are not allowed. For the men, sleeveless T-shirts and sandals are not allowed. In general, other than for sleep attire T-shirts (even the $60 Ralph Loren) will not be acceptable on this trip. The point here is to be respectful. If in doubt, tend toward the conservative. For the men, that means shirts with collars. Aloha style and polo shirts will be appropriate for several activities.

Colors:

Men and women dress in classic colors: black, blue, brown and gray.If you plan to have a business meeting, know that Shirts for men are usually blue or white. If you’d like to blend in the crowd, the classic colors are a safe option. You can express a bit more individu

o Avoid black ties or an all-black look for women as this is the formal funeral clothing in Japan.

o Avoid purple as this is the color of the royal family, particularly when we have events scheduled with government officials.

o We will wear the Tomodachi Inouye Scholar Polo Shirts during plane travel to Japan. Most likely there will be one or two other events when the Tomodachi Inouye Scholar Polo will be the assigned attire.

o Due to the June weather patterns in Japan bring rain gear (rain coat, poncho or umbrella).

Shoes:

As noted above, other than lounging in the hotel room, do not wear sandals. You will need comfortable shoes in which you can do lots of walking. For women we suggest flats and/or very moderate heels (maybe an inch or so). In the more formal meetings you will need more formal shoes (non-canvass, non-boat shoes). Travel tip: I often wear running shoes for transit purposes and then put on loafers or dress shoes (carried in my backpack) upon arrival at the even/activity. We will provide you with as much information regarding walking, etc. as possible in reviewing the next day’s itinerary each evening. When in doubt, choose comfort over style!

Sundry Items & Toiletries

Contact lens solutions:

For those who wear contact lens, please bring enough of your contact lens solutions, etc. for the entire visit. While these items in Japan are available it will be much easier to bring your own brand.

o Unless you require a specific type/brand of toothpaste, body lotion, shampoo and/or soap due to allergies or personal tastes, these items are provided by the hotel and you will not need to bring any.

o Women should consider bringing appropriate products for their feminine needs. Again, these items are available in Japan however you may have a preference for a specific product.

Your Individual Health

Dr. Grandone and I will have copies (electronic and hard copies) of the health history and information you provided to the Laurasian Institute, as will the Japan Foundation escort.

If you take prescription medication:

o Pack enough to last your entire trip, including some extra in case you are unexpectedly delayed.

o Carry your medications in their original labeled containers, and pack them in your carry-on bag since checked baggage is occasionally lost or delayed.

o Ask your pharmacy or physician for the generic equivalent name of your prescriptions in case you need to purchase additional medication abroad.

o Get a letter from your physician in case you are questioned about your carry-on medication; some countries have strict restrictions on bringing prescription or even non-prescription medications into the country without proper medical documentation

Cell and Smart Phones and other internet devices:

o If you wish to use your cell phone in Japan you will need to check with your provider regarding international service. However, dependent on your provider I warn you that this generally comes at an additional cost or will be charged as “roaming” which is very expensive, particularly the data cost. Dr. Grandone and I will have international phone service so that your families can contact us 24/7.

o If you have a laptop or tablet, please bring them. Free Internet, both lan and WIFI are provided at the hotel where we will be staying. I would suggest not using cell telephone service and instead SKYPE, FACETIME or Android equivalent with your IPAD, other tablet or laptop. SKYPE is free, but remember the time difference (about 16 hours).

Spending Money

The grant provides for all travel, food and lodging. You will be responsible for your own spending money for gifts, incidentals and snacks outside of the foods provided by the itinerary. Below are some tips regarding money, credit cards, etc.

o Check and understand the exchange rate before you travel. You might want to exchange money at your local bank. Money exchange is available at the airport terminal, both in the U.S. and Japan, and generally at the major hotels.

o Before you leave notify your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions that you are going overseas.

o Avoid carrying cash and consider using traveler's checks or major credit cards instead (but make sure they are accepted at your destination before departing on your trip).

o Change traveler's checks only as you need them.

o Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.

Some things to think about when you pack and prepare for our trip to Japan:

Think Efficient and Compact

o Be sure to pack efficiently. Though you will have one large checked bag and one medium checked bag, try to think carefully about what you need and don’t need. Extra weight gets heavier with every step.

o Lots of Stairs Tokyo Subway stations have endless pathways and some include stairs (and no elevators). Planning to use the underground with lots of suitcases in hand is not a good idea. This will not be a problem for us in transit to and from the airport however it is a consideration as we move throughout Tokyo. P.S. I can attest to the difficulty of navigating subways, etc. with large bags, especially when elevators are not available.

Shoes and socks

o Since it’s a Japanese custom to take off your shoes when you’re indoors, you might find yourself taking off your shoes very often. So, please no holes in socks or pantyhose. Throw in a pair of comfortable shoes that you can slip on and off easily.

o Make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes too.

The electricity in Japan is 100 volts

o If you need to bring along your own appliances make sure you pack an electric converter. American appliances can be used in Japan without an electric converter although they will have less power. If your appliances are three-pronged, you need a plug since Japanese appliances are two-pronged. Usually, I charge my laptop but run it primarily on battery to avoid any problems with the lower current.

Money

o Japan in many respects is a cash economy. Many stores and restaurants do not accept credit cards, particularly those where you might get your best deal. Bring Japanese Yen in a substantial amount in cash.

A Japanese/English electronic dictionary or app on your phone: It’s fun to be able to exchange a few words with the locals with this compact little Appliance that will fit in your pocket or purse.
A small towel

o A mini-towel in your bag for drying your hands is very useful. In most restrooms, in spite of their extreme cleanliness, there are no paper towels.

Casual clothes are fine for sightseeing, but the Japanese dress very formally: a suit or a jacket for men, a skirt and high heels or stylish flats for women. For our purposes jeans and shorts are not an option.
- - Women dress very femininely – usually in skirts and heels, but nothing too Revealing here. No short skirts, no low cleavage. Japanese women dress very conservatively and you’re likely to feel very out of place in shorts or exposing cleavage.
Colors

o Men and women dress in classic colors: black, blue, brown and gray.If you plan to have a business meeting, know that Shirts for men are usually blue or white. If you’d like to blend in the crowd, the classic colors are a safe option.Avoid black ties or an all-black look for women as this is the formal funeral clothing.

Wet season (June)

o Japan Summer climate begins in June with the rainy season, which lasts between 3 weeks to 1 month. Although it doesn’t rain every day, rain can be heavy. Pack an umbrella.

Summer in Tokyo (July-August)

o For the hot and humid summer, cotton clothing is the best. Most Tokyo places are air-conditioned, so women might need a light jacket or cotton sweater too.

SECTION FOUR

TRAVELING VIA AIRPLANE

If you plan on trying to sleep, come prepared. Bring a travel pillow or head restraint, and try to avoid using the inflatable ones.
Bring something to entertain yourself. Usually, movies don't start for some time, and the built-in music selection can be quite poor, so bring an iPod (the night before you go away try to download some of the latest songs or movies as it will be more entertainment than the old movies you already have), iPhone, iPad, Gameboy, Nintendo D.S, or CD player. You could also bring a new book that you like or portable game.
Always have a couple of recent magazines with you. Picking out new magazines at the airport before you leave is a fun way to start your trip! However, you might be able to get them cheaper prior to coming to the airport.
If possible, go with an airline that offers .A.V.O.D (Audio Video on Demand), which is a TV screen in front of your seat that lets you choose what you want to watch, play or listen to
Bring your own headphones. The headphones, usually available on the plane (whether for purchase or for free) are usually of poor quality. Noise-canceling headphones and in-ear headphones are great if you have them, and can help block out engine noise.
Minimize your carry-on luggage. One backpack is fine for the plane, and it is easier to find a place in the overhead bins or under the seat for a small backpack than for a larger roller bag.
Bring a toothbrush, and anything else that isn't a liquid or a gel, that you need to help freshen up before meeting others at the end of your long flight. They, and your neighbors in-flight, will be glad you did.
Consider bringing your own food on board if you care about taste or health. On some airlines, plane food is quite poor. We will be flying All Nippon Airlines (ANA) and my past experience is that the food was pretty good. Check airlinemeals.net before and look through the reviews and decide if you should buy food before the flight.
Take some sweets or other snacks with you. Protein bars are particularly helpful if on a long-flight. Most airline meals tend to be low in protein and high in carbohydrates.
Move around. This is especially important on longer flights, to prevent your body from aching due to poor circulation. Some airlines provide guidance on in-seat exercises you can do (such as circling ankles and stretching arms). The long mid-flight stretch on overnight flights is an excellent time to take a stroll up and down the aisle a few times. There is usually room to do some back stretches at the back of some of the cabins.
Participate in the in-flight exercise video, should your flight provide one. These are designed to help with body circulation and reduce fatigue. If your flight does not include such a video, you can still do your own stretches and exercises.
Take steps to protect yourself from the dry air on board the plane. The air in a plane is very dry and may dehydrate your system.Drink plenty of water. Although you can request water from your flight attendants, it is a good idea to bring plenty of water on board with you. You may either purchase bottled water once you pass security or bring an empty bottle with you to fill from a water fountain. Remember that you should never drink the water from airplane bathrooms; it may contain bacteria.
Use eye drops (eye drops may now be carried through security) whenever your eyes feel dry. If you are really uncomfortable, don't hesitate to inform cabin crew.
Consider saline nasal gel if your nostrils feel uncomfortable breathing dry air. Saline nasal gel, which can usually be found near the saline nasal wash at a drugstore, can help keep the inside of your nose moist and make breathing more comfortable. Apply in the restroom and wash your hands before and after. You can put it on a cotton swab and coat the inner 1/2 inch of your nasal passages. It may seem gross, but it really works for preventing your nose from painfully drying out.
Bring lip balm in a 3 oz or smaller container and use it to protect your lips from becoming painfully dry. Bring a small container of hand lotion or cocoa butter if your skin dries easily.
Don't look at the time during the flight. You can't do anything about it and the flight will feel a lot longer if you keep looking at the time.
Don't check your watch regularly and avoid looking at the in-flight map showing the current position of the plane.
Time difference between Los Angeles, USA and Tokyo, Japan is:+16:0 hoursTokyo is 16:0 hours ahead of Los AngelesThat means when it is 1:00 am (midnight) in Los Angeles, it is 5:00 pm in Tokyo (same calendar day)

http://www.happyzebra.com/timezones-worldclock/difference-between-Los%20Angeles-and-Tokyo.php

virtualtourits.com

SECTION FIVE

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Remember that a major part of this trip is our interaction with the Japanese people. They want to teach you about their lives, culture and country. And, they want to learn about your lives, culture(s) and country. At the heart of our mission is people-to-people diplomacy. You should bring pictures of your family, home communities, home community activities you are involved in, your life at LMU, particularly the organizations and activities you are engaged in, (e.g. your clubs, service programs/projects, etc.). Prepare a narrative for each photo that you can share that reveals something the person you are sharing with won’t get from a tourist video.

As we explore the various areas, sites, sounds, smells and tastes of Japan develop a respectful curiosity. Develop questions in advance. Ask questions. Engage. Ask questions. Listen carefully.

Here are some of the activities and events that have been confirmed:

Lecture on US-Japan relations by Dr. Hyoma, Dokkyo University
Lecture on “Cool Japan” by Mr. Takeshi Matsui, Professor, Hitotsubashi University
Lecture on Japanese Language by Ms. Azusa Yokota, the Japan Foundation
Visit Tokyo National Museum
Visit Asakusa Kannon Temple
Meeting with Ambassasor Ichiro Fujisaki
Courtesy Call to Hiroshima City Hall
Career Panel with US Japan Council member residing & working in Japan
Exchange Program with Sophia University

Other events and activities that are planned but not confirmed:

Visit and tour of Parliament House with possible welcome or visit to a Diet Member’s office
Visit Tokyo Multicultural Museum
Visit Toyota or Warner Brothers Tokyo – Tomodachi Partner Company
Visit National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

SECTION SIX

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

BE ON TIME – This means gather at appropriate meeting place 15 minutes before departure. For example, if the bus is leaving in the morning at 8 am, you are expected to be at the gathering location at 7:45 am. Often we will be on a tight itinerary and delays in departure will not only disrespect the people who we are scheduled to meet, but may result in having to cancel an event or activity. Being on time is a matter of respect.

ENGAGE – Though several of you will be taking “point” at an event, we expect all Scholars to be engaged with every event or activity. This requires preparation!!! At the very least compare and contrast the experience/information with the US, LMU and/or your community. This also means that during presentations or lectures you refrain from Internet surfing, social media engagement, unless assigned, and any other activity that could be interpreted as not “paying attention.”

ACCOUNTABILITY – For each activity you will be assigned to a team.

“Point Team” -- One team will be assigned “point.” This team will introduce the delegation (talking points will be provided), if appropriate summarize our visit up to that point in the trip, if appropriate provide reflections on our visit up to that point, and take the lead in asking the initial questions, observations or reflections.
“Recording Team” – One team will be assigned the task of recording the event, activity. This includes, but is not limited to, taking notes, recording observations, and taking photographs of the entire group as they engage throughout the event/activity. In some cases, for example visiting a temple, this might mean coordinating, collecting and collating photos; interviewing fellow scholars about their the experience. Each night the Recording Teams will provide a summary of the event or activity.
Social Media – The US Japan Council & Tomodachi Program has asked that we participate in their social media strategies. Additionally, we are developing a blog on our own LMU Tomodachi Website. Each of you will receive social media assignments throughout the visit.

RESPECTFUL – An escort from the Japan Foundation will be assigned to our delegation. The escort will be a combination of translator, excursion guide and chaperone. The escort is to be afforded the same courtesy afford Dr. Grandone and Dr. Rooks. Similarly, staff at the various venues assigned to our delegation should be afforded our utmost respect and courtesy.

ENJOY – Though the visit will have a tight schedule and you will have a variety of responsibilities, we want you to ENJOY your time in Japan.

SECTION SEVEN

PROGRAM RULES

During the training period we stressed to you that this is a diplomatic venture and that we represent much more than our individual selves. And, while we do not anticipate any violations of the program rules, we felt it important to state them clearly.

Violations of Major Rules will result in your immediate removal from the program (i.e. being sent back to the U.S.). Any expenses incurred to facilitate your removal will be the responsibility of you and your family. This includes, but not limited to:

o Transportation cost of you and your escort to the airport in Japan
o Any food cost once removed from the program
o Return to the US airline ticket

Beyond the major rules there is only three basic rules – repeated violation of basic rules will be treated as a Major Rule violation.

Major Rules:

Consumption or purchase of alcohol, illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs
Unauthorized separation from the delegate group. This includes leaving the hotel or other gathering place without permission of either Dr. Grandone or Dr. Rooks
Co-habitation for the purpose of sexual activity
Inviting guests to the hotel, activity, etc. without permission of either Dr. Grandone or Dr. Rooks.
Any actions that compromise the safety of either yourself or others in the delegation.
Violations of the laws of Japan and/or the United States, as well as the basic codes of conduct of the LMU Lions’ Code.

Basic rules:

Repeated tardiness
Adherence to direct instruction by Dr. Grandone, Dr. Rooks or Japan Foundation
During unstructured time or during a “tour” activity Scholars should travel in pods of no less than three Scholars. In short, you are not to go off alone or only in pairs without permission from either Dr. Grandone or Dr. Rooks.

APPENDIX I– Calling for Help in Tokyo/Japan

In the event there is an emergency and you are unable to contact Dr. Grandone, Dr. Rooks or the Japan Foundation Escort, below are instructions of how to get emergency assistance while in Japan (Tokyo). Note that included are key Japanese words written in “English” that will assist in facilitating communication with emergency personnel.

Calling for Help

In case of an emergency in Japan, being able to communicate with the emergency dispatcher can literally be a life-saver.

Throughout Japan, an emergency phone call can be made free of charge from any phone including public pay phones.

Ambulance - Dial 119
Fire - Dial 119
Police - Dial 110

For further information on calling an ambulance or the fire department, check the following websites. Although these websites are published by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the information contained in them is generally applicable throughout Japan.

Emergency Call by the Tokyo Fire Department

Calling 119 for Medical Emergency by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website

Calling 119 for Fire by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website

For further information on calling the police, check the following website.

Calling 110 for police by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website

Persons seeking assistance should be able to describe their address/location in Japanese or enlist a friend who can do so, as few police officers and fire department staff speak English.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government website has information on emergency calls at http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/kinkyu/01.html. The phone numbers and procedures also apply to other areas in Japan.

The Tokyo fire department emergency operator staff, which can be reached by dialing 119, has English-speaking staff available. In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Health & Medical Information Center offers an emergency interpretation service with English-speaking doctors at (03) 5285-8185. Their website, himawari.tokyo-hpc.or.jp, contains an excellent, comprehensive "Guide to Emergency Medical Treatment in Tokyo".

If for some reason you do not have a translator available, here's how to deal with emergency calls for ambulance in Japan.

First Steps

· In case of emergency, dial 119;

· In case of fire, say: KAJI DESU;

· To call an ambulance, say: KYUU-KYUU DESU;

· Do not hang up until the dispatcher understands your address and telephone number;

· Send someone out to the nearest major intersection to meet the ambulance or fire truck.

What May Happen During Your Call

Dispatcher: SHOU BOU CHOU... KAJI DESU KA? KYUU KYUU DESU KA? (Fire department... Fire or ambulance?)
Caller: KYUU KYUU DESU. (Ambulance)
Dispatcher: DOU SHIMASHITA KA? (What happened?)
Caller: (see vocabulary below)

Telephone number is...

DENWA BANGO WA (number)... DESU.

My name is...

WATASHI NO NAMAE WA (name)... DESU.

Bleeding

SHUKKETSU DESU

Broken bone

KOSSETSU DESU

Burn

HIDOI YAKEDO DESU

Difficulty Breathing

KOKYUU KONNAN DESU

Convulsions

KEIREN DESU

Chest Pains

MUNE GA TAIHEN KURUSHII DESU

High Fever

KOU NETSU DESU

Injury

KEGA DESU

Poison

DOKUBUTSU DESU

Poison Gas

DOKU GASU DESU

Sick

BYOUKI DESU

Unconscious

KI FUMEI DESU

Giving Your Address

The emergency service people need to know how to locate you in order to help. The dispatcher may say JU-SHO WA? (or) NANI-KU, NANI- MACHI, NAN-BAN DESU KA?, asking "What is your address?"

For example, the address of the American Embassy in English is: 10-5 Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo

In Japanese, this is reversed, and best understood, as follows: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Akasaka itt-chome juu no go.

Front

MAE

Behind

URA

Diagonally in
Front

NANA ME MAE

Next to

TONARI

Intersection

KOOSATEN

Since many Japanese streets do not bear names and house/building numbers are not consecutive, it is very important that you learn how to give adequate directions to your residence in case you need to explain it to a dispatcher, usually guiding them by way of major landmarks.

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