Prepared by Japan National Tourism Organization

Singapore Representative Office

For Immediate Press Release

Updates on Global Influenza A (H1N1) for Travelers to Japan

Singapore , 04 June, 2009 – According to sources released by the Ministry of Health in Japan , the flu outbreak situation in Japan has shown significant improvement with most of the schools in affected regions such as Osaka , Hyogo and Kyoto reopened now.

Latest reports from Singaporean visitors who had returned from recent trips to Japan verified that life in Japan remained as normal as the local Japanese went about their daily routines.

The Health Ministry from The Osaka Prefecture confirmed on 03 June, 2009 that the 157 cases affected so far have fully recovered.

The Mayor of Kobe City Mr Tatuso Yada has officially declared on 28 May, 2009 that Kobe is a safe place at least for the present and welcomes anyone to visit Kobe, where it saw Japan's first H1N1 case on May 15, 2009. As of 03 June, 2009 , of the 109 cases affected, all have completely recovered except for 1 who is recuperating at home.

http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/foreign/english/index.html

To eliminate travelers' concerns over the flu situation, the Ministry of Health in Japan is providing medical assistance as follows:

Upon arrival at the airport

•  Those who are found to have been infected with H1N1 may be issued a quarantine order upon arrival at the airport. Travelers will be sent to the quarantine center for further medical assessment. The stay at the quarantine center would be fully paid for by the relevant city's medical authorities in Japan .

During the visit in Japan

1. As in usual circumstances, during the visit in Japan , travelers who fall ill and seek medical help at any of the local city clinics have to bear their medical fees for the medical treatment received.

1. However, if upon the medical treatment and the traveler has been found to have or suspected to be having the H1N1 virus will need to be quarantined. The stay at the quarantine center will be fully paid for by the relevant city medical authorities in Japan incurred throughout the quarantine period until the traveler recovers.

The following medical centers offer consultation and information in English and other foreign languages should travelers need while traveling in Japan .

AMDA International Medical Information Center Tokyo

Tokyo 03-5258-8088 Operating hours: Daily 9:00-18:00 Languages spoken: English, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Daily 9:00-18:00 Portuguese: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00-17:00 Filipino: Wednesdays 13:00-17:00

Tokyo Metropolitan Health & Medical Information Center

Tokyo 03-5285-8181 Operating hours: 9:00-22:00 Language spoken: English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Thai

AMDA International Medical Information Center Osaka

Osaka 06-4395-0555 Operating hours: Daily 9:00-18:00 Language spoken: English, Spanish, Daily 9:00-18:00 Portuguese, Monday 10:30-14:30

Consultation and Information on influenza (The Osaka Prefectural Government)

Osaka 06-6943-8530 Consultation hours: Daily 9:00-17:45

http://www.pref.osaka.jp/chiiki/kenkou/influ/foreignlang.pdf

Consultation and Information on influenza (The Kobe City )

Kobe 078-335-2151 or 080-6115-9901 (non Japanese speakers) Consultation hours: 9:00-17:00

http://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/safety/health/infection/img/pr_en_mado.pdf

Japan National Tourism Organization

Singapore Representative Office

16 Raffles Quay, #15-09 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581
Tel. +65-6223-8205 Fax. +65-6223-6035
www.jnto.org.sg

www.jnto.go.jp