U.S. Embassy letter to U.S. Tokyo residents

The following is the letter from the U.S. Government that we received today. They are not doing a "forced" evacuation, however are recommending U.S. citizens leave, and providing transportation to get to a "Safe Haven" in other parts of Asia. I think we are in a surreal place right now- I just can't wrap my head around all that is going on with Japan and our lives. I have to avoid the news at all costs, because I think all I will do is cry. We lived outside of NYC on 9/11, and I will tell you, I cried for WEEKS..this is very similar and I just am so sad.

I know everyone says "just come home", but what everyone needs to know is that Japan is our home for now. We have great friends, a great life, and a great respect for the Japanese people and I feel if we just "leave" we will be completely abandoning our friends and the only other country we have called home.

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



Persons interested in departing Japan via USG-chartered transportation should proceed to Narita and Haneda airports or contact the US Department of State and Embassy Japan by sending an email to JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444. Please provide the following information:

Name, age, place of birth, U.S. passport number and any special medical needs.

Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for entry into the safehaven country and/or U.S., if that is your final destination.