[Via US Embassy - Tokyo] The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo has arranged for over 600 seats on several buses for transportation from Sendai City Hall to Tokyo. Priority for seats will be given to U.S. citizens and their immediate dependents. No reservation is required. However, passengers will be required to sign a promissory note to reimburse the U.S. Government for the normal bus fare from Sendai to Tokyo.The first buses began to load at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18 in front of Sendai City Hall. Buses will load and depart from the same location through 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, or until all 600 seats are filled.Reminder: The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo informs U.S. citizens in Japan who wish to depart that the Department of State is making arrangements to provide transportation to destinations in East Asia outside Japan. U.S. law requires that we bill all passengers for the transportation assistance provided through the U.S. government. U.S. citizens who travel on US government–arranged transport will be expected to make their own onward travel plans from their arrival point. Flights began departing Tokyo on Thursday, March 17. U.S. government-arranged transport will be available from Tokyo on the evening of Friday, March 18. U.S. citizens who have decided to depart Japan via USG-arranged transportation will find current transportation options, as well as any future scheduled flights, on the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami webpage at http://travel.state.gov.Please note: Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for entry into their destination country and/or U.S., if that is your final destination. Travelers are permitted only one piece of luggage per person.U.S. citizens in Japan and their friends and loved ones can enter information into a database that we can use to provide emergency consular assistance during this crisis. This is a free service, and by entering their information into Task Force Alert, you are helping us provide assistance and account for U.S. citizens in Japan.You can find more information on using Task Force Alert at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_japan.html.[ad]