Japan’s

International Counter-Terrorism
Cooperation

Japan’s
International Counter-Terrorism
Cooperation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

Kasumigaseki 2-2-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8919, Japan.
Tel: +81-3-3580-3311 http://www.mofa.go.jp/
February 2008 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
The Threat of Terrorism Remains High
While the capability of Al-Qaeda has been dealt a major blow as the international community has
been engaging in the fight against terrorism, the strength of such international terrorist
organization cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, new threats have emerged from radical
movements by local organizations which are ideologically influenced by Al-Qaeda.
Bombs kill 52
Benazir Bhutto assassinated
Japan is cited as one of the terrorist targets by several statements that Usama Bin Laden and
others supposedly issued. There has also been a case of an individual related to Al-Qaeda having
repeatedly entered Japan in the past. It is also important to note that attacks by international
terrorist organizations continue to take place all over the world, including in the region close to
Japan, such as South East Asia. Japanese citizens and interests are facing continuous threat from
terrorism, and have been victims of terrorist incidents in the past.

The Basic Policy of Japan’s

International Counter-Terrorism
c
(photo Reuters/Kyodo News)
Measures
Bombs kill 52
London, UK Jul. 7 2005 c
(photo Kyodo News) Strengthening National
Terrorist attacks hit U.S. Counter-Terrorism Measures
Benazir Bhutto assassinated New York,Washigton, Pennsylvania; USA Sep. 11 2001
Rawalpindi, Pakistan Dec. 27 2007
Train bomb kills 191
Madrid, Spain Mar.11 2004

Terrorist attacks hit U.S.

International Cooperation

Citizens ＆ UN officials killed in bombing

Alger, Algeria Dec.11 2007

Counter-Terrorism
186 killed in train blasts Capacity Building
Mumbai, India Jul. 11 2006
Assistance to Countries in Need

202 people dead after bomb blasts

Bali, Indonesia Oct. 12 2002
c
(photo Reuters/Kyodo News)

*October 2002 *October 2003

<Terrorist bombing in Bali> <Statement by the Al-Qaeda leader>
Japanese citizens have also been victims of overseas terrorist attacks. In the A message was reported, supposedly issued by Usama Bin Laden which
terrorist bombing in October 2002 in Bali, Indonesia, for example, two stated: “We possess the right to retaliate against all countries participating in
Japanese were killed and 13 were injured. Bali was targeted in another the unlawful war (against Iraq), and especially the United Kingdom, Spain,
terrorist bombing in October 2005, killing one Japanese. Australia, Poland, Japan and Italy, at the proper time and place.”
c
(photo Reuters/Kyodo News) c
(photo Kyodo News)

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Japan’s International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Japan’s National Counter-Terrorism Measures International Cooperation

While the international community continues the fight against terrorism, Japan is determined not to It is important for all countries in the international community to interactively cooperate in
become a loophole of global counter-terrorism efforts. It abides by relevant treaties and other overcoming vulnerability against terrorism, and deny terrorists safe havens and means for their
international agreements and continually enhances its national counter-terrorism measures in activities.
coordination with other countries.

Action Plan for Prevention of Terrorism Multilateral Cooperation

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adopted on December 10, 2004.
Confirming and Strengthening Political Will Regarding Importance of
The 13 International
① Tightened Immigration Control by Taking Fingerprints at Landing Examination and Visa Application
the Fight Against Terrorism Counter-Terrorism
② Entry Restriction to Terrorists In September 2006, the United Nations General Conventions and Protocols
③ Mandatory Prior Submission of Crew and Passenger List by Airplane/Vessel Captain Assembly adopted the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
1.Tokyo Convention
④ Denial of entry of Terrorists by using ICPO’s Database on Lost and Stolen Passports Strategy.The Group of Eight(G8) nations, meanwhile,
2.Hague Convention
⑤ Mandatory Check of Passengers’ Passports by Air and Sea Carriers have confirmed in sharing political will to prevent and
⑥ Assistance to Foreign Governments to Improve Travel Document Examination Capacity by Dispatching the     eradicate terrorism. Japan is playing a vigorous role at 3.Montreal Convention
  Document Examination Advisors the UN, the G8 and other forums. 4.Diplomatic Agents Convention
⑦ Thorough Identification of Foreign Guests by Hotels and Inns 5.Hostage Taking Convention
⑧ Establishment of System to Control Pathogenic Microorganisms Potentially Used for Bioterrorism
⑨ Tightened Control over Explosive-related material Potentially Used for Bomb Attacks
⑩ Tightened Import Control through Designation of Explosives as Prohibited Goods For Import
2 Improvements in International Law and
Creation of Global Benchmarks (photo Kyodo
c News)
6.Nuclear Material Convention
7.Montreal Protocol
8.SUA Convention
Japan has been actively committed to negotiations on relevant treaties in the UN and other
⑪ Measures to fully Implement FATF Recommendations international bodies. It has ratified and implemented all the 13 international counter-terrorism 9.Fixed Platform Protocol
⑫ Tightening of Security Measures for Important Facilities in Emergency Situations conventions and protocols. Furthermore, Japan has actively joined in the efforts of G8 and 10.Plastic Explosives Convention
⑬ Firmer Counter-Terrorism Measures at Airports and Nuclear Facilities other frameworks to establish international standards. 11.Terrorist Bombing Convention
⑭ Stronger Protection over Nuclear Material 12.Terrorist Financing Convention
⑮ Firmer Anti-highjack Measures through Introduction of Sky Marshal Program
⑯ Reinforced Terrorism-related Intelligence Gathering through Integrated Efforts of Relevant Organizations 3 Fulfillment of United Nations Security Council Resolutions Against
Actual Threats
13.Nuclear Terrorism Convention

Under UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 and 1333, all Member countries are required to
Realization of the above action plan impose measures to deny travel and freeze funds of individuals and groups associated with
Taliban and Al Qaeda. Resolution 1368 which determined that the terrorist attack on
Amendment of the Immigration Control and September 11, 2001 is “a threat to the international peace and security” calls upon the
Refugee Recognition Act (enacted in May 2006) member states to “take all necessary steps” to combat all forms of terrorism.
Japan's Vital Contribution to the Fight against Terrorism in the Indian Ocean
●Submission of personal identification information (fingerprints and a facial photograph) With coalition forces engaged in activities such as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF),
of foreign nationals at the landing examination International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in
●Deportation of foreign terrorists Afghanistan and OEF-Maritime Interdiction Operations (OEF-MIO) in the Indian Ocean, Japan
●Mandatory Prior Report on Crew members and Passengers by Airplane/Vessel    has been contributing to peace and stability of the international community by conducting
 Captain entering Japan refueling activities to vessels participating in the OEF-MIO from 2001 to 2007 under the
New Entry Procedures (photo Kyodo
c News)
Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, and from February 2008 under the Replenishment
Support Special Measures Law. (photo:Ministry of Defense)

Electronic Passports Freezing of Assets

Japan introduced its e-passport in March 2006. With an IC
chip imbedded into the center of passport booklet, it has
helped prevent forgery and other illegal use of Japanese
passports, and is expected to facilitate the process of
immigration.
Japanese
e-Passport
Japan, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolving the Conditions Conducive to Terrorism
Resolutions 1267, 1333, 1373 and 1390, has adopted
measures to freeze assets of 530 terrorist individuals and Japan has been making the following efforts,
groups, including those affiliated with the Taliban and AI utilizing its ODA, recognizing needs to address the
Qaeda, under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act conditions that are conducive to terrorism.
(as of February 2008). —Support for democratization and solutions
Major Individuals whose assets are Freezed to economic and social challenges in
Usama Bin Laden developing countries
—Peaceful settlement of conflicts and
Aiman Al-Zawahiri
consolidation of peace
Mohammed Omar
—Sustainable development and poverty
reduction
—Assistance to moderation and promotion
of dialogue between civilizations
(photo Reuters/Kyodo
c News)
(photo Kyodo
c News)

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Japan’s International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Assistance

Some countries do not necessarily have sufficient counter-terrorism capacity, while they maintain Provision and Improvement of Equipments
political will to fight against terrorism. Japan is assisting in counter-terrorism capacity building to
Japan has also been providing grant aid including provisions of equipment, to assist in improving equipments and
countries in need, particularly in Southeast Asia. other resources relating to counter-terrorism measures.

Legal Provisions Support Project for Establishment of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System
Japan is assisting countries by hosting seminars regarding legal provisions, such as promoting the accession to In July 2003, Japan provided the Philippines with a grant aid of up to 975 million yen for the “Project for Establishment of the
International Counter-Terrorism Conventions and implementing domestic laws. Automated Fingerprint Identification System” to verify fingerprints left at crime scenes by automatically checking large amounts of
existing fingerprint data of criminals and suspects.

Establishment of New Grant Aid Scheme

Seminar on Promotion of Accession to International Counter-Terrorism
Conventions and Protocols “Great Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement”
● Information sharing on the conclusion of recently adopted international Established in fiscal year(FY)2006. Budgeted funds: FY2006 = 7.0 billion yen; FY2007 = 7.2 billion yen.
counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, as well as effective domestic
implementation of these instruments
● Has been held five times since 2003 in Tokyo Indonesia Cambodia
● Participants: ASEAN countries, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, as well as
experts from Australia, the United States, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Extended a grant aid of Extended a grant aid of up to 927 million yen to
Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention up to 1,921 million yen Cambodia for the improvement of security facilities and
of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI) to Indonesia for the equipment in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh Port in
provision of three patrol August 2006
vessels in June 2006 by
giving exception to
Japan’s Three Principles
Law Enforcement Personnel Capacity Building Assistance on Arms Export Malaysia
Japan is actively undertaking various efforts in capacity building assistance for law enforcement personnel in
developing countries, such as dispatching experts, accepting trainees, and hosting seminars. Extended a grant aid of up to 473 million yen to Malaysia
for the improvement
(photo Kyodo
c News)
of equipment for
maritime security
Assistance for Maritime Security of the Philippines Assistance for Indonesian Police The Philippines enhancement in
The Japan Coast Guard Japan has been engaging in technical assistance to support the January 2008
has carried out technical reformation and improvement of Indonesian police since 2002.
Extended a grant aid of up to 609 million yen to the
assistance project to The Japanese National Police Agency has been enhancing
Philippines for the enhancement of communications
support human resource capability of Indonesian National Police in local police station as
system for maritime safety and security in July 2007
development of the project model site to bring about community policing suitable for
Philippines Coast Guard, the Indonesian society.
Exchange of Notes in Malaysia on January 25, 2008
accepting trainees and It has also conducted projects for enhancement of civilian police
dispatching experts activities in Bali, providing community based police activity to
since 2002. It has also the field of tourist police
sent experts to enhance and on-site-inspection.
fundamental capacity to With the conclusion of
ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue
the Philippines. phase 1, the “Project on
Building a Society with a Based on the agreement reached at the ASEAN-Japan Summit held in
Seminar on Prevention and Crisis Management of Sense of Safety in Bali” December 2005, the first ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue was
Chemical and Biological Terrorism was enacted in August held in Japan in June 2006 with the purpose of exchanging views between
●Seminars on counter CBRN terrorism measures have been   2007 as phase 2, which Japan and ASEAN countries to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.
 convened five times since 2003. will continue until 2012. The second dialogue took place in Kuala Lumpur in September 2007, with
●The most recent seminar was held in Malaysia in July 2007, on discussions on specific cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in the
 chemical and biological terrorism. Other Seminars and Assistance counter-terrorism field.
●Participants: ASEAN countries, Australia, China, South Korea, In addition, Japan has been providing assistance through seminars
 the Untied States, the World Health Organization (WHO) and   and other activities in areas such as immigration control, aviation The Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) established in March 2006 is First ASEAN-Japan Counter Terorism Dialogue(June 2006)
 the South East Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism    security, customs, non-proliferation, export control and terrorist being utilized to implement specific cooperation projects in this dialogue. First ASEAN-Japan Counter Terrorism Dialogue(June 2006)
 (SEARCCT). financing.

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