Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens – Early Closure of U.S. Consulate Osaka-Kobe[Via American Embassy Tokyo ]This emergency message is an update to the message sent about Tropical Storm 15W (Talas) that was issued on Thursday, September 1. This message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Japan that U.S. Consulate Osaka-Kobe in Osaka, Japan is to be closed to the public at 3:00 PM on Friday, September 2.The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued alerts for Tropical Storm 15W (Talas). As of 11:00 (local time), Friday, September 2, Tropical Storm Talas is located 280 Nautical Miles southeast of Iwakuni, Japan at 30.8 degrees north latitude, 135.1 degrees east longitude, traveling to the north-northwest at 08 knots in the direction of Osaka. It is expected to make landfall near Osaka after passing through the island of Shikoku on Friday, September 2 or Saturday, September 3 as a category 1 Typhoon. The forecast is for torrential rain to reach southeastern Japan on Friday, September 2nd.The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that the maximum sustained wind speed near the center of the storm is currently 65 knots with gusts of 95 knots. Tropical Storm Talas’ winds are expected to gain strength over the next 36 hours. Sustained maximum winds when the storm makes landfall near Osaka are predicted to be as high as 70 knots, gusting to 95. Talas’ landfall as a tropical storm or typhoon would bring flooding rain, damaging winds and potentially inundating storm tides to the southeastern side of Honshu.The U.S. military bases in Japan are in Tropical Cyclone Condition Of Readiness (TCCOR) alert status 4, meaning that destructive winds of 50 knots or greater are possible within the next 48 hours. Residents should stock up on emergency supplies of food, water, and cash in case of storm-related power outages. Be prepared for the alert status to be raised as the storm approaches. At TCCOR 2 all outside items should be removed or secured. TCCOR codes start from TCCOR 4 to TCCOR 1, 1 being the strongest.[ad]For further details, see either of the following websites: Japan Meteorological Agency: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/ U.S. Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center's Tropical Cyclone Warning:.We will continue to monitor Typhoon Talas’ track and will issue updated messages as appropriate. Please monitor the typhoon’s track by listening to the radio, watching television, or monitoring AFN radio at 89.1 FM. Locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. You should also contact friends and family in the United States with updates about your whereabouts.Additional information on hurricanes and storm preparedness may be found on our "Hurricane/Typhoon Season” webpage, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_5514.html , and on the “Natural Disasters” page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage, http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html . Updated information on travel in Japan may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Please note that Monday, September 5 is a U.S. Federal Holiday.Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website, http://japan.usembassy.gov/, for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information Sheet for Japan, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html.For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan listed below:U.S. Embassy in TokyoAmerican Citizen Services1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420Tel: 03-3224-5174After Hours: 03-3224-5000Fax: 03-3224-5856http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/tacs-main.htmlThe U.S. Embassy serves Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.Consulates:•Osaka-Kobe:11-5, Nishitenma 2-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543; Tel: 06-6315-5912, Fax: 06-6315-5914; serving Americans in Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, and Wakayama prefectures.http://osaka.usconsulate.gov/•Nagoya:Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001; Tel (052) 581-4501, Fax: (052) 581-3190; providing emergency consular services only (including death and arrest cases) for Americans living in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures.http://nagoya.usconsulate.gov/•Fukuoka:5-26, Ohori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052; Tel: 092-751-9331, Fax: 092-713-9222; serving Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi prefectures.http://fukuoka.usconsulate.gov/•Sapporo:Kita 1-jo, Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821; Tel: 011-641-1115, Fax: 011-643-1283; serving Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.http://sapporo.usconsulate.gov/•Naha:2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa 901-2104; Phone: 098.876.4211, Fax: 098.876.4243, DSN: 645-7323; serving Americans in Okinawa and the Amami Oshima Island group http://naha.usconsulate.gov/[ad]