The official language is Japanese. While many Japanese people studied English in school, few can speak it or understand it well.
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Japan’s official currency is the Japanese Yen, which is broken down into 100 sen. The larger hotels and stores accept major credit cards, but using cash is more common. Exchange cash and traveller’s cheques in post offices, banks and exchange bureaus. Traveller’s cheques will give you the best exchange rates, especially in US dollars. The international ATMs in airports, post offices and some major stores are the only ATMs that will accept all credit and debit cards.
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Japan’s international country code is 81. The outgoing code will depend on what network you’re using to dial out. Only some public phones allow international calls, and you can buy phone cards at kiosks and vending machines. Internet cafes are almost everywhere.
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You aren’t expected to tip in Japan. Hotels and restaurants usually add a 10 to 15 per cent service charge to the bill.
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Japan has low levels of crime and is a stable country. Use common sense about personal safety and belongings. Watch out for storm and typhoon warnings from June to September. Japan experiences earthquakes frequently. Check with your embassy about safety warnings following the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Sendai.
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No vaccinations are required for visits to Japan. The country has very good medical facilities but they can be very expensive, requiring payment up front. Make sure you are covered by health insurance. Some medications can be detained by customs agents, since they violate the country’s strict drug laws, so check with the Japanese embassy in your home country before packing.
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Japan’s electrical current is 100 volts, 60Hz in the west and 100 volts, 50Hz in the east.
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