Friday, March 26, 2010

Oh-oh, bad news about Roppongi from the US Embassy

This came in my mail today from the US Embassy in Tokyo. Although it says ';Americans,'; it probably translates to ';anyone.'; Just a heads-up.





Roppongi Security Notice



Date: March 17, 2009





This is to inform the American community that the U.S. Embassy has recommended that the embassy community avoid frequenting Roppongi bars and clubs in Tokyo due to a significant increase in reported drink-spiking incidents. American citizens may choose to avoid frequenting drinking establishments in this area as well.





The number of reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in bars has increased significantly in recent weeks. Typically, the victim unknowingly drinks a beverage that has been secretly mixed with a drug that renders the victim unconscious for several hours, during which time large sums of money are charged to the victims credit card or the card is stolen outright. Victims sometimes regain consciousness in the bar or club, while at other times the victim awakens on the street.





Because this type of crime is already widespread in Roppongi bars and is on the rise, the U.S. Embassy has recommended that members of the embassy community avoid frequenting drinking establishments in this area. American citizens may consider this recommendation as it applies to their own behavior. If you, nevertheless, choose to participate in Roppongi night life, we urge you to remain extra vigilant of your surroundings and maintain a high level of situational awareness. Establishments in the area of Roppongi Intersection (Roppongi Dori and Gaienhigashi-dori) have had the highest level of reported incidents.





For further information please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Japan, available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.';



Oh-oh, bad news about Roppongi from the US Embassy


You don%26#39;t even have to be drugged to run up bar tabs in Tokyo, not just Roppongi. I know five foreign executives spent over US$17,000 on a night out drinking. Over the years some young college kids have committed suicide by not being able to pay the astronomical bar tabs.



Be warned %26amp; be aware.



Oh-oh, bad news about Roppongi from the US Embassy


Roppongi has always been a footnote in the State Department notice on Japan, nothing new here.




Its seems to be an Asian phenomenon. This was released by the US Consulate in Surabaya. Americans seem to be getting into trouble this way.





U.S. Embassy Jakarta



U.S. Consulate General Surabaya



U.S. Consulate Medan





January 28, 2009





The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya would like to inform U.S. citizens that several American Citizens have recently reported they believe they were drugged while visiting Bali. Although the circumstances surrounding these current cases are not clear, in past years, there have been periodic reports of ';drink-spiking'; incidents in Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya, usually targeting males who are frequenting clubs and nightspots, for the purpose of robbery. Females have also been victimized in the past with ';date-rape'; drugs.





The effects of the drugs used in the drink-spiking incidents, believed to be an animal tranquilizer, are extremely powerful. Besides putting the victim in an unconscious state for a long period of time, the side effects include memory loss, nausea, headaches and vomiting. The Consulate suggests everyone consider carefully the following guidance:





Do not bring a stranger back to your residence or room.





Never accept a drink from a stranger, someone you don’t know well or you don’t trust.





Do not leave your drink unattended if/when you are out socializing.





Make sure any bottled beverage that is served to you is sealed; have the server open it in front of you.





It is a good practice to go out with a friend or group of people. If you feel dizzy or sick, ask a friend or someone you trust to take you to a safe place.





If you find yourself a victim of such a crime, please seek medical help immediately and contact local police authorities.





The Consulate also wishes to remind Americans who are visiting Indonesia, and Bali in particular, that the prevalence of drugs by no means indicates that Indonesian society and authorities accept the use of illegal drugs. Indonesia maintains very strict laws, often involving long prison sentences, for those caught using or in possession of illegal drugs.





Americans living and traveling in Indonesia are urged to register and update their contact information with the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, U.S. Consulate Medan or U.S. Consular Agency in Bali. Registration facilitates the U.S. Mission’s contact with Americans in emergency situations, and may be done on line and in advance of travel. Information on registering can be found at the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs website at http://travelregistration.state.gov, at the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov, or at the Consulate General’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/sby. All Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Worldwide Cautions, and recent warden messages are posted on the Embassy website.




We need to get a wider perspective here instead of keep bashing about certain groups for no reason. The American Embassy is responsible for the safety of American citizens, not other countries. I certainly don%26#39;t expect a Japanese consulate overseas to issue warnings to citizens of other countries. If a Japanese consulate (or any other country) issues a warning to citizens of their own country only, using the same logic, perhaps we can then say Japanese think they are so special?





The type of inflammatory post above serves no purpose in this forum, which is again, a travel forum to help visitors.




Addendum:



I felt that this ';news'; was important enough for any of ';US'; who are on this website, no matter WHAT our nationality.





Yeah, I saw the post before it got deleted. Sigh.





Meanwhile, this is EXACTLY what universities tell the freshmen kids on school orientation day!!!



';Do not bring a stranger back to your residence or room.



Never accept a drink from a stranger, someone you don’t know well or you don’t trust.



Do not leave your drink unattended if/when you are out socializing.



Make sure any bottled beverage that is served to you is sealed; have the server open it in front of you.



It is a good practice to go out with a friend or group of people. If you feel dizzy or sick, ask a friend or someone you trust to take you to a safe place.



If you find yourself a victim of such a crime, please seek medical help immediately and contact local police authorities.';



Good, good advice.



From the mamas and papas.



:-)




As mentioned this can happen any where in any city in the world, it it isn%26#39;t particular targeted at Americans, just this notice is meant for Americans because its from the state department website advising Americans that such incidents have occurred.





Just be smart and on your toes no matter where you are in the world and you%26#39;ll be ok.




Ok,ok, it was me who posted somewhat offensive to particular groups of people, sorry if I sounded too much and yes I agree this is not the place to discuss matters like that. I just wanted to bring it up because these things ARE actually felt occasions like this. I%26#39;m sure many people know what I wanted to say.





Let%26#39;s put this aside, (please, no more argument on this)





Criminal activities like this have been reported before, and unfortunately we hear these incidents more and more. Not only Roppongi but everywhere in the major cities.





Yes, this happens to locals too, but actually there is a fact that places where foreign tourists and residents can be targeted more than where locals gather. Tourists tend to be relaxed with other ';foreigners'; Unfortunately there are number of individuals try to take advantage of this and you will be targeted.



Be extra care and don%26#39;t trust strangers too much....



It%26#39;s sad to say things like this though.








Thanks mamajelli for your post and warnings.





I am Australian and really appreciate the time you have taken to add this post to TA. I think that these people target tourists in particular because we are on holiday relaxed, our guard may be down a little and more importantly there is often no-one at home to check on us when we don%26#39;t get there. If you don%26#39;t go back to your room at the hotel who would know, unless you are travelling in a group.





Of course most tourists are easily recognised in Japan not like Europe, America, Australia etc so the pickings are easier for these people. I believe that most people realise that this goes on in all countries around the world if not worse things like the girls that have been abducted and one Australian girl murdered in Croatia over the past 12 months.





It is unfortunate that society is getting this way and I fear for my children and any grandchildren I may have in the future.





I hope other members appreciate your posting.





Congratulations on a very important, considerate and informed posting.





Cheers





Pam




That is true for every city and every tourist in the world, nothing new. When you start listening to US Embassy warnings, then you should hunker down in your basement and not go outside.

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