Japan
Pre Arrival:
Charts
Arrival:
Pilotage
Pollution:
Pollution
Facilities:
Medical
Security:
Emergency
Misc:
Authority
Report:
Report
General Information for Japan
Geo-political:
Capital City: Tokyo.
Nationality: (noun) Japanese, (adjective) Japanese.
Population: 127,078,679.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 81.
Number of Internal Airports: 144.
Major Languages Spoken: Japanese.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Yen (JPY) of 100 Sen.
Main Industries: Among world's largest and technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic
equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles
and processed foods.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 29,751 km.
Climate: Varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north.
Natural Resources: Negligible mineral resources and fish.
Natural Hazards: Many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors)
every year; tsunamis; typhoons.
Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8° C | 1° C |
| June | 25° C | 18° C |
| September | 25° C | 18° C |
CHARTS:
Navigational charts and nautical publications published by the Japan Hydrographic
Association (JHA).
Notices to Mariners issued by the Japan Coast Guard. www1.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/TUHO/url_inf/url_e.html
PILOTAGE:
Passage of Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay and Osaka Bay requires the services of a bay pilot,
while passage of Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) requires an Inland Sea pilot. Other major
ports provide harbour pilots. It is therefore strongly advised that Masters of vessels
proceeding in not only compulsory but also non-compulsory pilotage areas should take
advantage of the service of a pilot to prevent casualties at sea.
Pilotage is arranged via agent.
Pilot zones and boarding locations are listed at
www.pilot.or.jp/districts/guide.html
Compulsory Pilotage:
Presently, there are ten compulsory pilotage districts, and they are set in port areas
and water areas as follows:
| District | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Compulsory District Set in Port Area: | |
| Yokosuka, Sasebo, Naha | Foreign ships of 300 g.t. or more, Japanese ships with 300 g.t. or more engaged in international voyage, Japanese ships with 1,000 g.t. or more not engaged in international voyage. |
| Yokohama-Kawasaki | All ships 3,000 g.t. or more. |
| Kanmon (Kanmon Strait) | All ships 3,000 g.t. or more. |
| Compulsory District Set in Water Area: | |
| Tokyo Bay, Ise-Mikawa Bay, Osaka Bay, Bisan-Seto (including Mizushima port), Kurushima Strait | Ships of 10,000 g.t. or more. |
Seto Naikai (Inland Sea):
Pilotage is provided for vessels entering and navigating in the Inland Sea as follows:
- Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots, Moji for vessels entering from the west, replacing Kanmon Kaikyo Pilots, or entering from the south through Bungo Suido
- Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots, Kobe for vessels proceeding westward from Kobe
- Osaka Wan Pilots for vessels entering from the south and east through Kii Suido.
Notification:
Vessels should send request, via agent, at least 24 hours in advance of entering Inland
Sea, to Moji or Kobe stating:
- ETA at, and name of, pilot station
- destination
- speed
- draft
- cargo
- LOA
- any other relevant information.
Details should be repeated 6 hours in advance of ETA. Any changes should be notified
immediately.
Vessels should establish continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16 when entering
the range of Shimonoseki, Oita or Kobe Port radios and, when in range, should confirm
ETA.
Boarding:
- Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots, Moji for vessels entering from the west, replacing Kanmon Kaikyo Pilots, in position 33° 57.00′ N, 131° 03.00′ E
- Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots, Moji for vessels entering from the south through Bungo Suido, in position 33° 13.00′ N, 131° 55.63′ E
- Seto Naikai (Inland Sea) Pilots, Kobe in position 34° 35.00′ N, 135° 08.40′ E
- Osaka Wan Pilots in position 34° 10.00′ N, 135° 00.00′ E.
Contact:
Inland Sea Pilots Association. T: +81 (78) 391 7193. (Eastern). T: +81 (78) 391 7192. (Western). F: +81 (78) 391 7180. (Eastern). F: +81 (78) 391 7181. (Western).
www.ispa.or.jp
Moji Port Radio T: +81 (93) 321 1067. VHF Channel 16.
Oita Port Radio T: +81 (97) 528 9521. VHF Channel 16.
Kobe Port Radio (for Kobe Pilots). T: +81 (78) 303 1731. VHF Channel 16.
Osaka Wan Pilot T: +81 (78) 321 2200.
[email protected] VHF Channel 16.
PRATIQUE:
See
Pre-Arrival Information.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
The Master of the vessel is responsible for the advance filing of cargo, crew and
passenger information; however, such actions may be done by the owner or the administrator
of the vessel, or by an agent of the owner or the administrator or of the Master of
the vessel. Details of filing deadlines and information elements available from the
Japan Customs website at
www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/index.htm
Single Window System:
A Single Window System is in place for the submission of port-related pre-arrival
documentation and notifications and requests for port-related services. Access is
available to registered users at
www.naccs.jp
The following information should be submitted to agent, at least 24 hours before arrival,
for entry into NACCS in order to assist with port clearance procedures. Alternatively,
pdf version of Pre-arrival Procedure Form (Page 1) and (Page 2) is available to download
at:
| a) | name of ship | |
| b) | IMO number | |
| c) | type of vessel | |
| d) | flag state | |
| e) | port of registry | |
| f) | g.t., international g.t., d.w.t., LOA | |
| g) | communication system, call sign | |
| h) | name, address and contact details of ship’s owner | |
| i) | name, address and contact details of ship’s operator | |
| j) | name, address and contact details of ship’s agent | |
| k) | port of arrival and ETA | |
| l) | purpose to berth | |
| m) | anchorage ground desired | |
| n) | period of anchorage | |
| o) | moorings of arrival | |
| p) | ETD | |
| q) | details of berth change, if any, during port stay | |
| r) | maximum draft | |
| s) | name of line (service) | |
| t) | port of provenance, last port, next port and port of destination | |
| u) | entry position into specific area (listed on form), and ETA | |
| v) | cargo information | |
| w) | dangerous goods information | |
| x) | dangerous goods handling information | |
| y) | financial security information | |
| z) | In addition to the above, the following security information must be declared: | |
| aa) | name of ship | |
| bb) | IMO number | |
| cc) | ship’s operating security level | |
| dd) | date, time and position of report | |
| ee) | name if ISSC and name of issuing authority | |
| ff) | name of company security officer | |
| gg) | name and rank of SSO | |
| hh) | date, ETA and berth name at all ports of call in Japan | |
| ii) | entry position into specific area (listed on form), and ETA | |
| jj) | last 10 ports of call (country, name of port, date of arrival and date of departure, ship security level at these ports) | |
| kk) | Crew List | |
| ll) | Passenger List. | |
MICS:
Maritime Information and Communication System (MICS). In order to prevent maritime
accidents caused by lack of information and to allow easy and constant open access
to necessary real-time data across the nation, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) provides
ocean safety information, such as meteorological and hydrographic data, construction
work notices, the status of stationary net installations, etc. Such information is
available on the internet (accessible both by PC and mobile phone) and by phone to
those who require it through the Maritime Information and Communication System (MICS).
The JCG also provides registered email addresses with emergency information such as
tsunami warnings, notices when lights of aids to navigation have extinguished, etc.
Further details available at the Maritime Information and Communication System (MICS)
website.
www6.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/index_en.html
VTS/RADAR:
Japanese Ship Reporting System (JASREP):
JASREP is Japan's Ship Position Reporting System. It is a voluntary mutual rescue
system that receives and manages reports of a ship’s current position, heading, speed,
etc. to assist with maritime distress and search and rescue operations for example.
Participation in this system is not compulsory but is highly recommended.
The approximate service area covered by the JASREP System is the sea enclosed by the
parallel of Lat. 17° 00′ N and the meridian of Long. 165° 00′ E.
In order to participate in JASREP, vessel only needs to send a Sailing Plan, Position
Report, Deviation Report and Final Report. There is no cost to the vessel for participating
in the system.
The Japan Coast Guard accepts email reports. Reports should be made with “JASREP”
in the subject line and sent to
[email protected]
Note:
This email address is for reporting only, and not for general enquiries or correspondence.
Reporting details are outlined in maritime Radio Signals and at W:
POLLUTION:
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) is the lead government agency in Japan for salvage and
spill response but looks to the tanker owner to undertake clean-up operations.
Japan is divided into 11 Coast Guard regions, with a total of 66 Coast Guard offices
and 51 Coast Guard stations. Contingency plans for a maximum spill of 810,000 tonnes
have been prepared for the three sea areas at most risk: Tokyo Bay; Ise Bay; Seto
Inland Sea. Joint government/industry oil spill control committees have been formed
in 95 oil ports, where local harbour authorities are legally responsible for controlling
pollution within port limits but usually have little or no spill response capability.
After notification of a major potential or actual spill, the JCG will dispatch vessels
and aircraft to assess the situation. The ship's owner is required to take emergency
or damage control measures and to clean up the spill. If the incident exceeds his
capability, Maritime Disaster Prevention Centre (MPDC) will respond, either under
the direction of JCG under direct contract to the owner.
Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC):
The Maritime Disaster Prevention Centre (MDPC) was established to respond to oil spills
and is funded jointly by government and industry. In addition to the 40 equipment
bases established by MDPC, agreements for rapid response to spills have been made
with a total of 143 private clean-up contractors in 83 ports. In the event of a major
oil spill, coordination within the various government agencies will be established
by the National Land Agency. Vessels with g.t. of 150 tons or more carrying specific
oil (black oils) must carry on board sufficient quantities of material for oil spill
removal when such vessels navigate in the waters designated by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT), harbour regulations and other rules. Vessel (owners)
may however, contract the Maritime Disaster Prevention Center (MDPC) for use of stockpiled
materials available at its depots (e.g. oil booms, oil dispersant, and oil absorbent)
on a voyage, semi-annual, or annual basis.
When such tankers with g.t. of 5,000 tons or more navigate in Tokyo Bay, Ise Bay,
and Seto Inland Sea, vessel/owners must contract MDPC for additional use of its oil
recovery devices (e.g. oil recovery boats) available at its bases.
Since 2008, tankers carrying hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) (clean oils, chemicals,
etc., exclusive of gas cargoes) are also required to carry anti-oil pollution materials
according to revised Japanese domestic law based on accession to the Protocol on Preparedness,
Response and Co-ordination to Pollution Incidents from Hazardous and Noxious Substances,
2000 (OPRC-HNS Protocol).
Also see
Emergency Response Centre.
MEDICAL:
Medical facilities are good, but the cost of treatment is high. Hospitals and clinics
are well equipped and staff highly trained, some Japanese doctors may speak English.
You will be expected to pay the whole cost of any treatment you receive. Make sure
you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical
treatment and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay in Japan, dial 119 and ask
for an ambulance.
Medication:
The use or possession of some common prescription and over-the-counter medicines are
banned under Japan’s strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law.
If you need prescription medication for long term use, you may need to provide extra
paperwork, such as an import licence (known as a Yunyu Kakunin-sho).
Refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website W:
If in any doubt, check with the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate before arrival
in Japan.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE CENTRE:
The Japan Coast Guard (JSC) is charged with the duty of ensuring security and safety
at sea. Its activities include maritime safety operations, search and rescue operations,
criminal investigations, marine environmental preservation, disaster mitigation and
marine research.
Headquartered in Tokyo, the JSC is divided into 11 regions in order to facilitate
its coast guard operations. Each region has a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, under
which there are various Coast Guard offices, Coast Guard stations, air stations, Hydrographic
Observatory and Traffic Advisory Service Centers.
| Address | Tel: +81 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 5-3, Minato-machi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-8560 | (134) 270118 |
| 2nd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 3-4-1, Teizandori, Shiogama, Miyagi 985-8507 | (22) 363 0111 |
| 3rd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 5-57, Kitanakadori, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-8818 | (45) 211 1118 |
| 4th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 2-3-12, Irifune, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 455-8528 | (52) 661 1611 |
| 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 1-1, Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-8551 | (78) 391 6551 |
| 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 3-10-17, Ujinakaigan, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima 734-8560 | (82) 251 5111 |
| 7th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 1-3-10, Nishikaigan, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 801-8507 | (93) 321 2931 |
| 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 901, Aza Shimofukui, Maizuru, Kyoto 624-8686 | (773) 764100 |
| 9th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 2-2-1, Bandai, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 950-8643 | (25) 245 0118 |
| 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 4-1, Higashikoorimoto-cho, Kagoshima, Kagoshima, 890-8510 | (99) 250 9800 |
| 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters | 2-11-1, Minato-machi, Naha, Okinawa 900-8547 | (98) 867 0118 |
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); 2nd Monday (Adult Day); 11 February (National Foundation
Day); 24 February (State Funeral of the Sowa Emperor); around 21 March (Vernal Equinox
Day); 10 April (Marriage of Crown Prince Akihito); 29 April (Showa Day); 3 May (Constitution
Commemoration Day); 4 May Green Day; 5 May (Children's Day); 9 June (Marriage of Crown
Prince Naruhito); 3rd Monday July (Maritime Day); 3rd Monday September (Respect-for-Age
Day); around 23 September (Autumnal Equinox Day); 2nd Monday (Physical Education Day);
3 November (Culture Day); 12 November (Official Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Akihito);
23 November (Labour Thanksgiving Day) and 23 December (Emperor's Birthday).
WEATHER/TIDES:
Natural Disasters:
Earthquakes and Tsunamis:
As Japan is in a major earthquake zone you should familiarise yourself with safety
procedures in the event of an earthquake or tsunami, and take note of instructions
in hotel rooms. Tsunami warnings are published by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
www.jma.go.jp/en/tsunami/
Typhoons:
The typhoon season runs from June to December with most activity between July and
September. Southern parts of the country are particularly at risk. You should monitor
the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/
Typhoons that hit Japan are often accompanied by damaging high tides. People living
in coastal areas are particularly at risk. Landslides can occur anywhere. The dangers
increase when an earthquake occurs shortly after a typhoon has saturated an area.
CONSULS:
Contact details of foreign missions in Japan, and Japanese embassies and consulates
worldwide, are available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.
www.mofa.go.jp/
BANKS:
Japan is a predominantly cash-based society. You may have difficulty using credit
and debit cards issued outside Japan. Cirrus, Maestro, Link and Delta cash cards are
not widely accepted. Japanese post offices, 7-Eleven stores and JP Post Bank have
cash machines that will accept some foreign cards during business hours.
CUSTOMS:
Japan Customs, Information Management Office, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry
of Finance, 3-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 1008940. T: +81 (3) 3581 4111. ext. 2961. F: +81 (3) 5251 2122.
www.customs.go.jp/english/
SHORE LEAVE:
Most Japanese people are very friendly and welcoming but can be reserved. Loud, boisterous
behaviour is not as acceptable as it may be in your home country.
In regard to sexual conduct in private, Japan is a tolerant society. However, public
displays of affection are not common.
Drinks and meals are paid for at the end of your visit to a Japanese bar. Tipping
is not necessary. In some places, prices can be high. Disputes over bills can lead
to arrest.
Ensure you see a menu with prices before you enter a bar or restaurant. Keep track
of what you order and confirm the price of admission to clubs on entry.
Crime levels are low. It is generally safe to walk about at night and to travel on
public transport, but you should maintain the same level of vigilance as you would
at home and take sensible precautions.
Reports of inappropriate touching or ‘chikan’ of female passengers on commuter trains
are fairly common. The police advise that you shout at the perpetrator to attract
attention and ask a fellow passenger to call the train staff.
The Roppongi entertainment district of Tokyo is considered a higher risk area for
crime. Foreign nationals have been arrested following disputes with bar staff and
doormen. There have also been reports of drink spiking with drugs like Rohypnol. Victims
have described loss of consciousness for several hours, during which time large amounts
have been fraudulently billed to their credit card.
You can reduce the risk of spiking by:
- not accepting drinks from strangers
- not leaving drinks unattended or asking a trusted friend to keep an eye on your unfinished drink.
Card fraudsters may skim or clone bank cards when you pay for food or drink. You may
need a police report before your credit card company will consider processing a fraud
claim.
Prostitution and street touts are illegal but commonplace. Do not accompany street
touts to bars or clubs. Street touts often encourage people to enter an establishment
by misrepresenting the services on offer. You may incur an entry charge so do not
enter on the promise of a free drink or to have a look, as you may not be free to
leave.
If your passport is lost or stolen, you should report this at a police station and
get a police report.
Smoking is illegal on the streets of Tokyo and some other cities. Smoke only in designated
areas.
Tattoos have a historical association with organised crime in Japan. While acceptance
is increasing, some public facilities do not admit people with tattoos – for example,
public swimming pools, hot springs, beaches and some gyms. Other establishments request
you cover tattoos while using the facilities.
Also see
Repatriation.
REPATRIATION:
Crew Landing Permission:
Article 16 of the
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act covers permission to disembark crew.
Crew Landing Permits may be issued allowing for crew to disembark vessel for a period
not exceeding 7 or 15 days for the purpose of transfers, rest, shopping etc. without
the need for a visa.
Immigration officers may impose necessary restrictions on the duration of landing,
range of activities, and other necessary restrictions for foreign crew members who
have been granted permission to disembark. Copies of crew members’ fingerprints may
be taken if necessary.
Foreign crew members who have been allowed to land in Japan are obliged to carry and
present a Crew Landing Permit as well as a passport or Seamans Book. For foreign crew
members who enter the country frequently, there is a Multiple Crew Landing Permit
system that allows them to enter the country repeatedly for one year from the date
of receiving the permit.
Applications for Crew Landing Permits can be made online by registered users, in advance
of arrival, through the Crew landing Application Service via NACCS (see “Pre-Arrival
Information”).
Crew landing permit application helpdesk T: +81 (50) 3066 9306. or the nearest regional immigration office
www.moj.go.jp/isa/about/region/?hl=en
Visas:
The Consular Services section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website
provides information regarding visa requirements and entry into Japan.
www.mofa.go.jp
Short-Term Stay:
Nationals of some countries are eligible for an exemption of visa (Short-Term Stay).
A Short-Term Stay applies to visits to Japan for tourism, business, visiting friends
or relatives, etc. that does not include remunerative activities. The period of stay
granted at the time of the landing permission will be 15 days for Indonesia and Thailand,
14 days for Brunei, 30 days for United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and 90 days for other
countries and regions. Visa exempt countries as follows:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong
Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea Rep of, Latvia, Lesotho,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar,
Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Surinam, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA.
Note:
Visa exemption may be conditional on the holder’s passport being an ePassport or machine-readable
passport. This applies to nationals of Barbados, Brazil, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malaysia,
Panama, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey and UAE.
You should refer to
www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html for full details.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
You must carry your passport/ Seaman's Book and Crew Landing Permit at all times.
AUTHORITY:
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport (MLIT), Maritime Bureau, 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki,
Chiyoda-ku 100-8918, Tokyo, Japan.
T: +81 (3) 5253 8111. www.mlit.go.jp
