Dispatch of Government Delegation to discuss the issue of Trafficking in persons

March 18, 2009
Japanese

On March 23 (Mon) and 24 (Tue), Japan will dispatch a Government Delegation to discuss the issue of Trafficking in persons (TIP) to the Republic of Korea (ROK.). The delegation will be headed by Mr. Akihiko Nakajima, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and composed of representatives of the organs concerned (National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). This Government Delegation will have consultations with the Government of the ROK, which include Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister of Justice, the National Police Agency and others, on both countries’ and international measures to combat TIP, and visit a shelter and other related facilities for victims.
Human Trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights and dignity. Japan formulated a comprehensive National Action Plan of Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons in December 2004, and has taken various domestic measures based on the Plan while pursuing international cooperation.
Japan has dispatched its government delegations to Thailand, the Philippines, Colombia, Eastern Europe etc, based on the understanding that the close international cooperation among sending states, transit states and destination states is crucial in efficiently combating Trafficking in persons, which often tends to be transnational organized crime. Through the dispatch of this delegation, Japan will build up closer ties and cooperation with the ROK as well.

(END)