Center for International EducationWaseda University

Basic Rules: Show initiative! You are the one who is responsible for your safety and deals with unexpected incidents.
You must be prepared for situations while abroad, including terrorism, theft, illness, injury, or negligence. Take extra precautions to ensure your safety. If trouble arises, you are responsible for resolving it.

It is not enough to just look at study abroad programs. You should also find out about safety, crime, health, diseases, local customs, nationalities, and the laws and regulations of the country you wish to study in. Stay informed. The next pages will help you.

• Travel Information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website
  https://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/ (in Japanese)
  Phone: 03-5501-8162 (9am to 5pm)
  (except MOFA’s closed days)
• World Health Information
  https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/medi/index.html (in Japanese)

1. Join overseas travel insurance and submit “the emergency contact information in the host country” to the CIE.
2. Keep copies of your passport, airline tickets, travelers’ checks, and records of your credit card and insurance numbers, etc., and secure them separately from your originals.
3. Make a list of contact numbers for emergencies or accidents, including the Embassy, the Consulate, local police, your credit card company, airlines, your insurance provider, and the host university.
4. Make a medical report in English or the local language in case you have a chronic illness.
5. Make an Emergency Card.
6. Join an overseas rental mobile phone.
7. Register “Tabireg” at:
   https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/index.html
   Tabireg is a system intended for people going abroad on personal or business trips, which sends emails about emergency situations and the latest information about flying to the country you will be staying in.

You can find detailed risk information for each region on MOFA website. It provides the latest information on security, common incidents, and guidance on what to do, as well as a database of past case. The current security situation is divided into four levels as below. If any study abroad region is affected, either before or during the programs, Waseda University may postpone travel, cancel programs, or advise evacuation. You can obtain this information through email, on the CIE website or from your host university contact.

• Level 1: Travel with extra care.
  Japanese nationals traveling or residing in the relevant countries or regions should stay alert and avoid danger.
• Level 2: Suspend travelling, if it’s non-urgent.
  Travel to the relevant countries or regions should be suspended unless urgent or essential. If you need to go, take enough safety measures.
• Level 3: Postpone travel (advice).
  Travel to the relevant countries or regions should be postponed without exception. For Japanese nationals residing in the relevant areas, departing from there should be reviewed or prepared.
• Level 4: Evacuate (advice)
  All Japanese residents should evacuate from the relevant countries or regions to safer countries or regions, including returning to Japan. Do not travel there for any purpose.

1. Let others know where you are! Submit the Foreign Residency Report (Zairyu Todoke) to the Japanese Embassy or the Consulate.
   Always let your family, host family, friends, your host university conact, and the Japanese Embassy or the Consolate where you are. Tell us whenever you move, even if it’s just for a short holiday. If you stay in another country for more than three months, you must submit the Foreign Residency Report (Zairyu Todoke) to the Japanese Embassy or the Consulate as required Article 16 of the Passport Law. They use the address and emergency contact details you provide to help you if needed.
   https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/
2. Do’s and Don’ts while Abroad
   Be aware that you are in a foreign country, and public safety may differ from Japan. You should pay close attention to your surroundings. Ask your host university about any dangerous areas off campus and avoid them. Do not walk alone after dark or carry more cash than you need. Avoid risky behavior, stay away from drug users, and be careful about about trusting strangers easily and so on.
   Driving cars or motorcycles while overseas
   Waseda University does not strictly prohibit driving cars or motorcycles, but if you choose to drive, you are responsible for any accidents or problems that may happen under according to local laws. This includes:
   • Abiding by all traffic laws of the region in which you drive
   • Injuries, medical treatment, damages, compensation to third parties, etc.
   • Lawsuits resulting from traffic accidents
3. Unforeseen accidents and disasters
   If there is an emergency, contact the Japanese Embassy and the Consulate and follow their instructions. Try to reach your family, your host university and Waseda University if you can. Waseda University will email you with an evacuation advisory or warning to your Waseda email or any other email you provided on the CIE website.
4. “Hi, it’s me” scam
   You may have heard of “Hi, it’s me” scams, where people pretend to be family members or relatives to trick others. Scammers often target your family because they know it’s harder to reach you while you are abroad. Talk with your family about this type of crime before you leave.

A father received a call from his daughter, who was supposed to be studying in the U.K. She said urgently, “I’m in London now and I’ve been threatened to pay off the debts immediately. I’ll put the creditor on the phone.” A man claiming to be from “XX finance” pressed him to pay her debts off. Worried, the father transferred 950,000 yen to an account specified by the scammer.

Many other cases like this have been reported. Recently, scams have become more advanced, with swindlers making up stories such as you being in a car accident or having trouble with a gang. To avoid being trickedregulary contact your family and friends, keep them updated on how you are doing, and share your latest address, phone number and other relevant information.

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(except for summer and winter vacations)
Contact information for emergencies: to be announced after selection.