Any foreign visitor entering Japan must have a valid passport.

Japan has visa exemption agreements with 66 countries (as of July, 2013). Citizens of these countries who plan to stay in Japan no longer than the period in these agreements do not require a visa. Foreign participants should contact the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission as soon as possible to determine their particular visa requirements.

Those requiring visas must initiate the application process well in advance of their departure date. For more detail, please visit "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official Web Site"

Note that in some countries, it can take three months to get a visa.

If you need a personal letter of invitation to attend the Conference, contact chair C. Otani (mtsa2015@riken.jp), and provide your complete postal mailing address and fax number.

Your letter will be mailed to you, so request it well in advance of when you expect to need it.