Availability of Potassium Iodide Tablets

(Updated April 8, 2011, 11:30 a.m. JST)

As a precautionary measure, the U.S. Embassy is continuing to make potassium iodide (KI) tablets available to private U.S. citizens who have not been able to obtain it from their physician, employer, or other sources. We do not recommend that anyone should take KI at this time. There are risks associated with taking KI. It should only be taken on the advice of emergency management officials, public health officials or your doctor. For more information about KI, see this fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control, or contact your doctor.

At this time, the tablets are available Monday through Friday (until further notice) at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo at 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Allotments of KI tablets will be provided only upon presentation of a valid U.S. passport. If you do not have a valid passport, please contact the U.S. Embassy at 03- 3224-5000. An allotment of tablets will also be made available to a U.S. citizen for his/her non-citizen immediate family members (spouse and children) upon presentation of a valid foreign passport and satisfactory evidence of relationship. Each family member age 18 and over must appear in person and sign a liability waiver form in order to receive their allotment.

Please monitor the State Department's travel website for the most updated information. Should you need further assistance, contact the Department of State by emailing JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.