SIGNIS JAPAN

Dear SIGNIS ASIA Assembly 2007 Participants;

We are rather late in coming back to you because of many unexpected changes, adjustments, etc. on our preparations.

Thanks to your cooperation, we are glad to announce that we have reached our maximum capacity of 40 participants from abroad. India (9), Philippines (6), Malaysia (5), Hong Kong (3), Korea (3), Sri Lanka (2), Taiwan (2), Thailand (2), Macao (2), Indonesia (2), Cambodia (1), Pakistan (1), Germany
(1) and one more for TBD shortly from the waiting list.

Now the following is the third list of items important for you to know and remember before you come to Japan:

(1) PHONES
You may rental cellular phones at Narita Airport. See http://www.rental-mobile.com/en/domestic/index.html for details. Or you may purchase a telephone card at NYC for domestic and international public telephones. Or you may purchase a Prepaid International Telephone Card and use it from your hotel room. Or bring your own ATT cards, etc. Credit Cards may or may not be used. Prepaid SIM cards are not sold in Japan. Cellular phones in majority of Asian countries are only operable under GSM circumstances, whereas in Japan it is 3G.

(2) FAX
You may use FAX machine at NYC Service Corner, but please note that it is OUTGOING ONLY..

(3) PC
We will set up 5 PCs for your use of internet (e-mails) in the big conference room. You may use these during breaks.

(4) CURRENCY/CREDIT CARD
Please exchange your money (US Dollars) into JAPANESE YEN at Banks at your NARITA, as NYC does not have currency exchange function. US Dollars are not accepted at Japanese shops. Credit cards are becoming popular, but still a large number of small shops/restaurants do not accept them. Credit Card Cashing may be difficult in Japan, as there are very few ATMs capable of handling PLUS and/or CIRRUS in Japan. (May be used only at "Yucho" and "Seven Bank" ATMs.) If you plan to do shopping at AKIHABARA (famous Electric Town), majority shops will accept Credit Cards and there is a foreign currency exchange bank (mini branch) near the station.

(5) ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND JAPANESE
Because of big difference in grammars and pronounciations, English language is very difficult for Japanese in spite of many years of learning at junior high and senior high (and university). It is said that in general Asian people speak English better than Japanese people. Now there are many English signboards (or even Chinese or Korean in some cases) in Tokyo.

(6) SECURITY/WATER
Basically Japan is a safe country. You may walk, take subways, etc. in downtown Tokyo alone without fear. You may ask your directions at "Koban (Policde Box)." Water is also safe and you may drink from a tap. Nowadays, bottled water is becoming popular. You can find many automatic vendor machines (drinks, cigarettes, etc.) everywhere.

(7) OTHERS
-We rearranged the locations where we will have Eucharist. On 9/24, we will have Archbishop's mass at Tokyo Cathedral, and on 9/25 mass at the Daughters of St. Paul, etc. Full explanations with timetable will follow.

-Dine Out: Do not worry too much about what you are going to eat. Many family restaurants/cafeterias have sample displays and/or menu with photos, so that you will know what you are ordering.

-Rest Rooms: Many places have Western-style toilet bowl. Japanese invention, "Washlet", becomes popular in big cities. Automatic faccets are also popular. Paper towels are not so popular. So, we recommend you to bring handkerchief in your pocket. Airjet towel are prefered in public facilities.

-Train Tickets, Subway Tickets, Bus Tickets, etc.: Many Japanese now use pre-paid cards. You may buy a single ticket from ticket vending machine for trains and subways. Wickets are also automatic. As for bus, you pay to the bus driver when you get on or get out. You need to purchase Limousine Bus (all reserved seats) ticket at ticket counter before you get on.

-VIDEO/TV: Japan uses NSTC (not PAL).

-Electricity: 100V 50 c/s (Tokyo area)

-Our No. 4 news (plan): We will give you our final arrangements on Welcome Escort at Narita Airport, Tokyo Study Tour Courses, etc.

Lastly, my repeated request: If you have not submitted your photo and/or presentation resume (abstract) and presentation materials (i.g. PowerPoint
files) yet, please do so ASAP to help us to prepare better.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Tokyo in two weeks,

SIGNIS JAPAN
T. Mac Machida

My e-mail address is JN1OGJ@nifty.com (jn1ogj@nifty.com), NOT JN10GJ@nifty.com