State Dept. issues Japan advisory

The State Department issued an advisory Friday, in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake in Japan, saying travelers should avoid going to the country and gave information on how to contact people there.

Tokyo airports are closed and other airports in Japan may be closed or have restricted access in the wake of the magnitude 8.9 quake, the advisory said.

"Public transportation, including trains and subways, are closed in the Tokyo area, and service has been interrupted in other areas. Many roads have been damaged in the Tokyo area and in northern Japan," the advisory said. "Strong aftershocks are likely for weeks following a strong earthquake such as this one."

The State Department said U.S. citizens in Japan may be able to contact people in the United States via text message, Twitter and Facebook if phone lines are down.

U.S. citizens can contact the Department of State at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Japan is at 888-407-4747.

Outside the United States and Canada, call 202-501-4444.

More information is at travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5377.html and at travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at travelregistration.state.gov, which makes it easier for embassies or consulates to contact citizens in an emergency. U.S. citizens without Internet access can enroll at the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulates.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said New York City will help direct local donations to the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami, The Associated Press reported.

Bloomberg said in his weekly radio appearance on Friday that people who want to donate should call 311 or go to the 311 website. The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is collecting the funds.

Bloomberg described the deadly earthquake and aftermath as "sad news."

He said probably even the biggest nuclear bomb can't compare to the energy of a big earthquake.