Larson Statement on Earthquake in Japan and Tsunami Affecting Pacific Region

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Larson released the following statement today regarding the earthquake in Japan and tsunami affecting the Pacific region:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan and all those affected in the aftermath of today’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Those who have suffered from this disaster should know that they have our sympathy and support. As President Obama outlined this morning, the United States stands ready to assist Japan as it begins its recovery efforts."

"If you have a family member or friend in Japan please visit my website for information provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department or contact my Hartford office at (860) 278-8888, if I can be of any assistance to you in working with departments and agencies within the U.S. Government to help reach your family members.”

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE:

U.S. Forces Japan reports that all personnel have been accounted for, and there are no reports of injuries.

The Department of Defense instructs that family members of Department of Defense personnel should call 1-800-342-9647 to inquire about their loved ones or contact the individual unit command directly for more specific information.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT:

In accordance with this event a Travel Alert has been issued by the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and the following measures may need to be taken for American citizens currently in Japan and for families residing in the United States with relatives in Japan:

U.S. citizens currently in Japan are strongly advised to contact family and friends in the United States to confirm their well-being at the earliest opportunity. Telephone lines may be down at the present moment. In order to make outside contact it may be necessary to utilize SMS (text messaging), E-mail, or other forms of social media (IE: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace).

If without access to the internet, U.S. citizens should directly enroll at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates.

U.S. citizens may contact the Department of State at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov and are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov

If you have concerns about a specific U.S. citizen in the Tsunami zone outside of Japan, make contact with PacificTsunamiUSC@state.gov

If you are an American citizen with an after hours emergency, you can contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

U.S. Embassy Tokyo

Telephone (03) 3224-5000/ DSN 224-5000 Switchboard

(For help for Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shaizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata, and Yamanashi)

U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe

Telephone (06) 6315-5900

(Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayma)

U.S. Consulate General Naha

Telephone (098) 876-4211

(Okinawa, and the Amami Oshima Island group)

U.S. Consulate General Sapporo

Telephone (011) 641-1115

(Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate, and Miyagi)

U.S. Consulate Fukuoka

Telephone (092) 751-9331

(Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga, and Yamaguchi)

U.S. Consulate Nagoya

Telephone (052) 581-4501

(Aichi, Gifu, Mie)

* If you are calling regarding a Japanese citizen, please contact the nearest Japanese Embassy (Washington - 202-238-6700) or Consulate.