Japan's International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

October 2007
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1. Basic Recognition

(1) Terrorist threat remains high

(a) While the capability of Al-Qaeda and other related organizations' leaderships have waned and the number of militants has decreased as international community has been engaging in the fight against terrorism, the strength of such international terrorist organization cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, new threat has been formed by radical movements supported by related organizations which are ideologically influenced by Al-Qaeda, and local organizations which are independent from Al-Qaeda but adhere to its doctrine.

(b) Last year's train bombing in Mumbai in June, where over 200 civilians died, and the alleged plot to blow up several airplanes bound from the United Kingdom in August reveals the ongoing threat of terrorism.

(c) From looking at the London bombing in June 2005, the alleged plot in 2006, and those in Germany in 2007, there are also new threats of "home-grown terrorism", where terrorist acts are organized by actors that are not necessarily considered as linked to international terrorist organizations, such as second and third generation immigrants and converts

(d) Japan is cited as one of the terrorist targets by several statements that Usama Bin Laden and others have issued. There has also been a case of an Al-Qaeda member 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 regions close to Japan.

(2) Strengthening domestic counter-terrorism measures is important

While the international community continues to fight against terrorism, Japan is determined not to become a loophole of global counter-terrorism efforts. It abides by relevant treaties and other international agreements and continually enhances its domestic counter-terrorism measures in coordination with other countries.

(3) International cooperation is essential in the fight against terrorism

International terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda take full advantage of the characteristics of modern society, including advanced information and communications technology, and international transport networks, and thus carry out operations across national borders. Therefore, it is important that all countries in the international community interactively cooperate with each other in a wide range of fields, overcome vulnerability against terrorist attacks, and deny terrorists safe haven and means for their activities. It is essential to strengthen international cooperation, since terrorism cannot be resolved by a single state.

(4) Counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to countries in need

Some countries do not necessarily have sufficient counter-terrorism capacity, while they maintain political will to fight against terrorism. Japan provides counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to those countries in need of such assistance.

2. Japan's Efforts after 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

(1) Strengthening domestic counter-terrorism measures

The Japanese authorities have been intensively undertaking measures for prevention of terrorism in the areas of immigration control, gathering and analysis of terrorism related intelligence, highjack prevention, counter CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear) terrorism, reinforcing security measures for critical infrastructures and facilities, and terrorist financing.

From the viewpoint that domestic counter-terrorism measures need to be congruent with relevant international standards, and must be progressed under international coordination, the Government of Japan has made every effort to ensure its ratification of counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, domestic legal framework to implement them, and terrorist assets freeze, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Furthermore, in December 2004, the Japanese government adopted "Action Plan for Prevention of Terrorism" which includes 16 "Urgently Needed Terrorism Prevention Measures". It decided to implement measures including international sharing of lost and stolen passport information, tightened immigration control, introduction of sky marshal programme, thorough identification of foreign guests by hotels and inns, strict control of material potentially usable for terrorist attacks, reinforcement of terrorism-related intelligence capacity.

(2) Broad international cooperation

The Japanese Government has actively participated in counter-terrorism efforts by the international community at multilateral, regional and bilateral levels.

(a) Strengthening political will to recognize urgency and importance of the fight against terrorism

Japan has been working on strengthening political will in the international community to prevent and eradicate terrorism through implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, adopting declarations at various international and regional frameworks including G8, APEC and bilateral relations.

(b) Formulating international standards

Japan has been actively committed to negotiations on relevant treaties in the UN and other international bodies. It has ratified and implemented all the 13 international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols. It has been participating in the ongoing negotiations for the Comprehensive Conventions on International Terrorism. Japan has recently ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism in August 3, 2007.
Japan has actively joined in the efforts of G8 and other frameworks to establish international standards for practical issues, including immigration control and transport security. The G8 adopted "SAFTI (Secure and Facilitated International Travel Initiative)" in June 2004 at the Sea Island Summit. G8 members agreed to enhance practical counter-terrorism measures including port security initiative proposed by Japan.
Japan took initiative in G8, with the US, to establish the CTAG (Counter-Terrorism Action Group).

(c) Operational cooperation such as information exchange and cooperation under Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

In order to contribute to the efforts by the international community which aims at removing Al-Qaeda bases and preventing the spread of terrorists, Japan has sent Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to refuel vessels of countries participating in Operation Enduring Freedom-Maritime Interdiction Operation since December 2001 in accordance with the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law.

(d) Counter-terrorism talks/consultations with various countries

Bilateral talks on counter-terrorism (Australia, EU, India, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Turkey, US, and etc.) and regional counter-terrorism conferences have been held.

(3) Counter-terrorism capacity building assistance to other countries

Japan has been implementing the following assistances utilizing its ODA to Southeast Asia and other regions.

Encourages accession to international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols, and implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Provides technical assistance and relevant equipment, utilizing its ODA, mainly in the fields below. It has held seminars and accepted trainees in the following areas: (1) Immigration control, (2) Aviation security, (3) Port and maritime security, (4) Customs cooperation, (5) Export control, (6) Law enforcement cooperation, (7) Combating terrorist financing, (8) Counter-CBRN terrorism, and (9) Counter-terrorism conventions and protocols.
Introduced a new assistance scheme, the Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement from FY (Fiscal Year) 2006 (FY2006: approx. USD 62million, FY2007: approx. USD 65million). To the ASEAN countries, it has begun to apply the Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) (USD 68million) established in March 2006 following the declaration of the ASEAN-Japan Summit Meeting in December 2005.
Hosted the ASEAN-Japan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in June 2006 in Tokyo and September 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, intended as a forum for exchange of views between Japan and ASEAN to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in the ASEAN region by utilizing JAIF and the Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement effectively.
Decided to extend a grant aid to Indonesia, a total amount of approximately US$17.24 million for the project "Construction of Vessels for the Prevention of Piracy, Maritime Terrorism and Proliferation" through the Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement in June 2006.
Decided to extend a grant aid to Cambodia, a total amount of approximately US$9.27 million for the project "Improvement of Security Facilities and Equipment in Main International Ports of Cambodia" through the Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement in August 2006.
Decided to extend a grant aid to Philippines, a total amount of approximately US$6 million for the project "Enhancement of Communications System for Maritime Safety and Security" through the Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement in July 2007.

(4) Measures addressing the factors promoting terrorism

Japan has been making the following efforts, utilizing its ODA, recognizing needs to address the issues that is behind or facilitate terrorism (the root causes).

Assistance to economic and educational reform in developing countries
Peaceful settlement of conflicts and consolidation of peace
Sustainable development and poverty reduction
Assistance to moderation and promotion of dialogue between civilizations
Contribution to the Middle East peace process

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