Traveling around Misawa, Japan: Calling Japan: Misawa Air Force Base and Yokosuka Naval Base

In light of the recent 9.0 magnitude earthquake, tsunamis, and possible nuclear fall out, I have compiled theses resources for people in the USA to try to get a hold of their family and friends stationed in Japan.

011 are the digits to access any calls out of the USA

81 is Japan's country code

Misawa Air Base Operator

011-81-176-77-1110 (Commercial)

315-226-1110 (DSN)

To call Misawa Air Force Base from USA

011-81-176-66-XXXX (for phone numbers 616/222-XXXX)

011-81-176-77-XXXX (for phone numbers 226-XXXX)

Yokosuka Naval Base Operator

011-81-46-816-1110 (Commercial)

315-243-1110 (DSN)

To call Yokosuka Naval Base from USA

011-81-45-281-XXXX (for phone numbers 242-XXXX)

011-81-46-816-XXXX (for phone numbers 243-XXXX)

011-81-46-806-XXXX (for phone numbers 246-XXXX)

To call Japanese cell phones from USA

Japanese cell phones usually start with 090-XXXX-XXXX

Drop the first 0 and dial 011-81-90-XXXX-XXXX

Defense Switch Network (DSN, interbase non-secure line)

Japan and Pacific: 315-XXX-XXXX

Other unique DSN area codes

315: Continental United States (CONUS) and Puerto Rico are covered

317: Alaska

319: Canada

314: Europe

318: Central Command (Southwest Asia)

The message below was received via email notification from the US Embassy in Tokyo on March 11, 2011(U.S. Embassy in Japan http://japan.usembassy.gov/)

1. While we understand that there have been disruptions in communications in Japan, including the interruption of internet and mobile telephone service, we encourage you to continue your efforts to be in contact with your loved one(s) using SMS texting and other social media (e.g., FaceBook, My Space, Twitter, etc) that your loved one(s) may use.

Other possible ways to inform your family of your situation:

2. Google
Google has created the site, "Google Person Finder".
http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en

If you are in Japan, you can post messages about your whereabouts. A person looking for you can type in your name to find out if you are safe. Similarly, your family or friends may have posted a message that they are looking for you.

3. Cell Phone Messages

(Unfortunately, most American do not know about this service.)
If you have a cell phone in Japan, you can post messages via your cell phone provider. Family and friends who know your cell phone company can check the cell phone company's website below and type in your phone number to see any message you have left. The available areas are Aomori, Miyagi, Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures.

For Docomo users: http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/top.cgi

For KDDI (Ezweb) users: http://dengon.ezweb.ne.jp/

For Softbank users: http://dengon.softbank.ne.jp/

For Wilcom users: http://dengon.willcom-inc.com/dengon/Top.do

For Emobile users: http://dengon.emnet.ne.jp/

Another way to find out: http://dengon.emnet.ne.jp/

The following information was taken from the JNTO Japan National Tourism Organization) Website on March 11, 2011

Finding Person

Japan Red Cross Family Link

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002063.html

Telephone or Translation service for foreign tourists

Telephone service for foreign tourists (as of Mar. 14)

Volunteer Interpreters for Earthquake Aftermath (Japan Association of Translators)