Visiting the Ambassador

I haven't interviewed anyone for the radio while in Japan. John from the UK points out embassies on the Tokyo Visitor's map. Maybe, I can interview someone at an embassy, he suggests.

Citizens visit members of Congress, while in Washington, D.C. Is Howard Baker in town? Can I ask about North Korea and the other hot issues between Japan and the United States? Why not visit my Ambassador? An interview would be good radio. I look for a phone number and find none.

The following day, I trek Tokyo snow. The street maps are confusing to me, and it takes several cups of coffee before I find the American Embassy. (It turns out that "N," designating North, is often next to an arrow pointing somewhere other than up. This costs me an hour or two, even though the maps are perfectly clear, when I see them on the way back.)

In Washington D.C., embassies are in huge mansions, all bunched together. I find a fancy residential area that looks like a place where embassies should be. There is a street map showing embassies for Spain, Sweden, and America! I'll go past the Swedish Embassy, then past a hotel, and then I'll see the American Embassy on the corner. I am on the right street. There is no way to get lost now.

The Swedish Embassy is a mansion with a big flag in the lawn. It looks quiet. The hotel is next. Everything looks right. Then, I see an American flag next to a tall building across the street on the corner. There are security guards. I will go around. I see more and more security guards and a sign, which says "regulated access."

"Can I go in?" I ask the Japanese security guards. I show my passport, and a guard nods. It appears that I can go in.

I go through a metal detector. Then, I go through another metal detector and am wanded. I show my passport a couple more times. They ask why I am here and I do not give a clear answer. It does not matter. Guards take my cell phone and give me a claim ticket.

I enter a waiting room which contains a dozen or so Oriental people. I presume they are waiting for their name or number to be called. One sign says "Passports." Another says, "INV." There is an "Interrogation Room." People look serious, like they are in a police station. I try to overhear conversation to find out why people are here. The words I hear are not in in English.

From the other room, I hear an angry man behind the counter. "I have important business. I don't have time for you." I watch a rebuffed Pat Marita character exit silently.

This other room is for United States citizens. I go there and read State Department Warnings, posted on the wall. Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza are not recommended for American travellers upon the death of Yassir Arafat. There are several varieties of forms for adding more pages to passports. No American citizens seem to be waiting. So, I go to a window. "I have not been to an Embassy before. Is there someone I can talk to?"

"No unessential people should be here. We do not give tours. Embassies are dangerous. We get people in and out as fast as we can. You can not stay here."

I am here out of curiosity, no other reason. Even though, I feel no sense of personal danger, I smile and agree. But, the official is making a point that bears repeating, so I wait for him to finish. I should point out the the man behind the counter is adament, but not angry.

I exit, claim my cell phone, and notice that they also return the pocket alarm clock from Hong Kong, which must have been in my pocket.

I knew that the consulate was the most dangerous place in Pakistan. I had no idea that the American Embassy in Japan was considered dangerous. When I check the Internet, I discover that Howard Baker is no longer Ambassador to Japan, as of February 17. (He is now an advisor to Citicorp.) Japan has no ambassador, right now. Maybe, the next ambassador will give me an interview.