Japanese is the official language. Most Japanese people will have studied English at school, but few can speak it well or understand what is said to them.
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The currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY), which is equal to 100 sen. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, but most Japanese operate with cash. Cash and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks, post offices and currency exchange bureau. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm. Travelers checks offer the best exchange rate and are best taken in U.S. dollars. ATMs do not accept all credit and debit cards; only the international ATMs in post offices, airports and some major stores.
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The international access code for Japan is +81. The outgoing code depends on what network is used to dial out on (e.g. 001 for KDDI) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0011 for the United States). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)3 for Tokyo and (0)82 for Hiroshima. Local calls can be made from any public phone, but only some allow international calls. Telephone cards are sold at kiosks and from vending machines. The local mobile phone operators use technology that is not always compatible with international networks, but 3G has roaming agreements with most international networks, and local handsets can be hired from the airport and various other locations. Internet cafes are widely available.
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Tips and bargaining are not expected in Japan, however a service charge of between 10 to 15 per cent is generally added to hotel and restaurant bills.
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The vast majority of visits to Japan are trouble-free. It is generally a very safe country with low levels of common crime, and is stable, highly developed and modern. Travelers should, however, still be vigilant about personal safety and belongings. Typhoons are common particularly from June to September and travelers should take note of storm warnings along the coastal regions if traveling during this period. Japan is in a major earthquake zone, and earthquakes of varying sizes occur very frequently.
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No vaccination certificates are required for entry to Japan. On June 26, 2005 an outbreak of bird flu was reported on a farm at Mitsukaido, in Ibaraki. There are no reports of human infection. Travelers to Japan are unlikely to be affected, but live animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is possible should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. Medical facilities are very good, but medical assistance in Japan can be very expensive and visitors have to pay the whole cost up front. Travelers should ensure that they have adequate medical insurance before traveling. Visitors using prescription or common over-the-counter medications (such as inhalers or allergy and sinus medicines) should note that some may be prohibited in Japan and customs officials may detain travelers carrying them. Such travelers are advised to contact the Japanese embassy in their home country before departure to ascertain whether their medication is permissible. The possession of Vicks inhalers and other commonmedications used for allergies and sinus problems are banned under the strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law, and visitors are advised to check with the Japanese embassy if in doubt.
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Electrical current is 100 volts, 60Hz in the west (Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima); 100 volts, 50Hz in eastern Japan (Tokyo, Sapporo, Yokohoma). Flat two- and three-pin plugs are used.
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