General Information


About SARS in Japan
Prospective participants to the congress may worry about the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asian countries. However, neither infection inside the country nor infection to Japanese people living outside of Japan has been reported as of May 2003, and the situation is reportedly improving. Therefore, the organizing committee considers the danger in Japan is minimum.
Further information about the disease and measure for travelers are available at the web-site of WHO below:
Summary on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/
Summary of WHO measures related to international travel http://www.who.int/csr/sars/travelupdate/en/


1. Language
The official language of the congress is English. English-Japanese interpretation service will not be provided in any of sessions.


2. On-site Registration & Information Desks
Congress Registration and Information Desks will be opened at the times and places indicated below:
Nov. 2(Sun) 16:00-18:00
Nov. 3(Mon)-6(Thu) 9:00-17:00
Tower Hall Funabori (Edogawaku Sohgoh Kumin Hall), 2F


3. Final Program
The final program, together with the tentative list of participants, will be distributed at the time of registration at the congress site.


4. Climate
The climate in November is generally pleasant; the average min/max temperatures are 8/16 degrees centigrade in Tokyo. Participants are recommended to bring a sweater and jacket since it can be chilly at night.


5. Location
Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and a world leading megalopolis. You will find old Japanese architectures like Sensoji temple, and modern towns like the Shinjuku skyscrapers. Moreover, a quiet place like the Imperial Palace and a town with vigor like the Akihabara Electrical Town will also be found.


6. Visa
You need to apply for a short-term visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in advance to attend this symposium, unless your country has a visa exemption arrangement with Japan. If this is the case, please commence the process of applying for a visa at your earliest convenience, because it may take some time. For more information on visa, please refer to the following site.
Visas - entering Japan (English)
Visas - entering Japan (Japanese)

7. Invitation Letter
Those who require an invitation letter in order to attend IGTC'03 Tokyo may write to igtc@nal.go.jp specifying the details. Please note that an invitation letter can be requested and obtained by the person who has been registered as a participant for the congress with the payment of the registration fee. This procedure is only for assisting those participants who need permission to attend the congress and is not an official invitation covering fees or any other expense. Obtaining entry visas into Japan and possession of all necessary travel documents are entirely the responsibility of those who intend to attend the congress. Please contact Japanese embassy or consulate nearest to your place.

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