Japan's Counter-Terrorism Assistance

May 2003

1. Japan's Policy on Supporting Capacity Building for Counter-Terrorism

(1) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, Japan has been constantly fighting against international terrorism. In order to prevent and eradicate cross-border terrorism, the international community needs to consolidate its efforts for taking counter-terrorism measures. From this perspective, it is essential to provide assistance (especially, capacity building) for countries which do not necessarily have the administrative capacity to take appropriate counter-terrorism measures.

(2) While Japan's global efforts against international terrorism continue, it should be noted that Japan has been and will be providing support primarily for Asian countries, in terms of enhancing their capacity of implementing counter-terrorism measures.

2. Concrete Actions and Measures

(1) Six areas in which concrete actions have been taken

Based on the above policy, Japan has been taking actions and measures for capacity building for combating terrorism, mainly for Asian countries, in the following six areas;

  1. Immigration
  2. Aviation Security
  3. Customs Cooperation
  4. Export Control
  5. Law-Enforcement cooperation
  6. Anti-Terrorist financing

In those areas Japan has been holding seminars and training courses. Similar kind of capacity building efforts will be extended.

(2) Seminars and training courses on CT-related issues

Contents of seminars and training courses being held by Japan in the above six areas are as follows;

(i) Immigration

(a) Immigration Control Administration (implemented by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA))

   The purpose of this course is to provide participants with practical knowledge and training on immigration control administration introducing the Japanese system, in order to contribute to the development of immigration control and a mechanism of regional network in participating countries of Asia. In this course, the following major subjects will be covered through lectures, discussions and observation trips; (1) law and regulation system, control administration mechanism (2) inspection service (3) computer service (4) document identification service (5) theme study.

   In 2001, 8 officials from Bangladesh (2 officials), China, Malaysia, Thailand, Bhutan, Maldives and Solomon Islands participated in the course, and in 2002, 16 officials from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan (3 officials), Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal and Kazakhstan participated. In 2003, 20 officials from developing countries are expected to participate in the course.

(b) Seminar on Immigration Control

   The purpose of this 5-day seminar is to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and international cooperation among immigration authorities in the Asia-Pacific region through exchanging information and views on issues of common concern in immigration administration.

   In 2001, 14 officials from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand participated in the seminar. In 2002, 12 officials from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand participated in the seminar.

(c) Seminar on Document Examination

   The purpose of this 4-day seminar is to share information concerning trends and the detection techniques of forged or altered travel documents which are often used by illegal migrants and organized criminal groups, with a view to preventing the diffusion of these documents by inviting officials in charge of document examination for immigration authorities in the Asia-Pacific region.

   In 2001, 14 officials from Bangladesh, Cambodia (2 officials), China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the seminar. In 2002, 12 officials from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippine, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the seminar. In 2003, 12 officials from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the seminar.

(ii) Aviation Security

(a) Seminar on Aviation Security (implemented by JICA)

   The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with fundamental knowledge of aviation security practiced in Japan, which includes ICAO specifications. Participants will also have the opportunity to exchange views in the field of aviation security among other participants and Japanese lecturers, thus contributing to investigating applicable methods to improve aviation security in participating countries.

   In 2001, 21 officials from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia (2 officials), Pakistan (2 officials), Philippines (2 officials), Thailand, Cambodia (2 officials), Vietnam (2 officials), Maldives, Mongolia, Columbia, Kenya (2 officials), Cape Verde, Tanzania, Marshall Islands participated in the seminar, and in 2002, 22 officials from Indonesia (2 officials), Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Maldives, Palau, Uzbekistan, Egypt (2 officials), Tunisia, Palestine (2 officials), Bolivia, Brazil (2 officials), Eritrea, Djibouti, Cook Islands and Solomon Islands participated. In 2003, 29 officials from India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Mongolia, China, Egypt, Oman, Palestine, Brazil, Guatemala, Columbia, Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Central Africa, Seychelles, Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Samoa are expected to participate in the course.

(iii) Customs Cooperation

(a) Technical Cooperation on Customs

   Improvement of Customs administration in developing countries and regions leads to the unification and harmonization of a world Customs system, and as a result leads to faster customs clearance and less cost for customs clearance. By organizing training courses in specific areas where technical cooperation is necessary, Japan is accepting Customs officials from developing countries. In FY 2001, Japan accepted 53 officials from 25 countries (Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Azerbaidjan, Cuba, Uganda, Zambia, Solomon Islands, Cameroon, Uzbekistan). In FY 2002, Japan will have accepted 48 officials from 23 countries (Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Uzbekistan, Namibia, South Africa).

   Japan is also dispatching experts from Japan's Customs to the Customs in developing countries, according to their needs. In 2001, in addition to dispatching experts to Hong Kong and Australia, Japan dispatched 45 experts to 22 countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Colombia, Zambia, Malaysia, Brazil, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Argentina, Barbados, Mongolia, Iran, Malawi, Hungary Myanmar, Laos) in total. In FY 2002, Japan will have despatched 40 experts to 12 countries (Indonesia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Bhutan, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore).

(b) Cooperation on Information Exchange

   Japan in collaboration with the WCO (World Customs Organization) and the RILO (Regional Intelligence Liaison Office) is holding seminars on the collection and analysis of information for customs officials in Asia-Pacific with a view to enhancing customs control over Customs offences, including drugs and arms smuggling in the region.

   Japan Customs accepted for regional seminars 20 officials from 20 countries (Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau China, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) in 2001, and 22 officials from 22 countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Laos, Macau China, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) in 2002. Japan Customs also dispatched 2 experts to Iran and Thailand in 2001. In addition, Japan Customs accepted for CEN (Customs Enforcement Network) training programs 2 officials from Indonesia and Thailand in 2001, and 4 officials from Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan and Vietnam in 2002, and 2 officials from China and Philippines in 2003. On April 2 through 4, 2003 the WCO Symposium on Security and Facilitation of the International Trade Supply Chain successfully took place in Yokohama with more than 100 participants, including representatives of 14 APEC economies and business.

(iv) Export Control

(a) Asian Export Control Seminar

   As a result of economic development, Asian countries and regions have acquired capabilities for the production of sensitive items that can be diverted for use in the development of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means. In addition, large amounts of cargo (including sensitive goods) pass through some countries or regions used as transhipment points. Therefore, effective export control in those countries and regions is essential for international non-proliferation efforts. From this point of view, ensuring the improvement of export control systems in Asian countries and regions is an urgent task. The seminar is aimed at reaching a deeper common understanding on the importance of export control.

   The 9th Asian Export Control Seminar, organized by CISTEC (Center for Information on Security Export Control), was held in February 2002. Representatives of Brunei Darussalam (1 official), Cambodia (1 official), Hong Kong China (4 officials), Indonesia (3 officials), Laos (1 official), Macau China (2 officials), Malaysia (3 officials), Mongolia (2 officials), Myanmar (1 official), Philippines (2 officials), Singapore (5 officials), Chinese Taipei (4 officials), Thailand (5 officials) and Vietnam (3 officials) participated in the seminar. Discussions on the recent situations of international export control regimes, such as MTCR, export control systems in the Asian region and export control by industry were held. Small group discussions on transshipment and dual use export control were also held to encourage participants to take part in a more informal and in-depth discussion.

   The 10th Asian Export Control Seminar was held in February 2003. Apart from representatives from Australia, Korea, Sweden and the U.S., representatives of Brunei Darussalam (1 official), Cambodia (1 official), China (3 officials), Hong Kong China (4 officials), Indonesia (3 officials), Laos (1 official), Macau China (2 officials), Malaysia (1 official), Mongolia (2 officials), Myanmar (1 official), Philippines (2 officials), Poland (2 officials), Singapore (3 officials), Chinese Taipei (3 officials), Thailand (4 officials) and Vietnam (2 officials) participated in the seminar.

(b) Administration of Security Export Controls (implemented by JICA)

   The basic objective of this training course is to promote the Security Export Control system in the Asian region by sharing recognition on the necessity of the system. The goals of this course are (1) to enhance understanding on the items that are subject to export control and the reason for their control, and (2) to deepen knowledge of licensing officials to enhance effectiveness of export controls in each of the participating country.

   In 2000, 7 officials from Indonesia, Thailand (2 officials), Vietnam, China (2 officials) and Mongolia participated in the course, and in 2001, 10 officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, China (2 officials) and Mongolia (2 officials) participated. In 2002, 12 officials from Indonesia, Thailand (2 officials), Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Macau China, China, Cambodia and Mongolia participated in the course.

(c) Seminar on Export Control for NIS countries (implemented by JICA)

   The purpose of this seminar is to contribute to capacity-building of NIS countries. Participants are expected to: (1) deepen their understanding about international non-proliferation efforts and necessity of export control system, (2) improve their export control capability, and (3) take the lead in implementing export controls in each of the participating country.

   In 2001, 10 officials from Armenia (2 officials), Kazakhstan (2 officials), Kyrgyz (2 officials), Tajikistan (2 officials), Uzbekistan (2 officials) participated in the course, and in 2002, 10 officials from Azerbaidjan (2 officials), Kyrgyz (2 officials), Tajikistan (2 officials), Turkmenistan (2 officials), Uzbekistan (2 officials) participated.

(v) Law-Enforcement Cooperation

(a) Seminar on International Terrorism Investigation (implemented by JICA)

   The seminar is designed for leaders in charge of international terrorism prevention and investigation in order to discuss the situation and measures. Participants are expected to: (1) understand the organization of the Japanese police system and countermeasures of international terrorism investigation through case studies, (2) acquire knowledge and skills for international terrorism investigation, and (3) deepen mutual understanding and establish cooperative relationships among participants.

   In 2001, 11 officials from China, Philippines, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bulgaria, Hungary and Rumania participated in the seminar, and in 2002, 23 officials from Indonesia (2 officials), Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines (2 officials), Thailand (2 officials), Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Algeria, Jordan (2 officials), Tunisia, Yemen, Lebanon (3 officials), Senegal, Peru and Estonia (3 officials) participated. In 2003, almost the same number of countries and officials are expected to participate.

(b) Maritime Law Enforcement (implemented by JICA)

   The purpose of this course is to obtain knowledge and skills which are required for planning and supervising maritime law enforcement activities, in particular, investigation of crimes, such as piracy, trafficking in drugs and firearms and people smuggling at sea, so that participants would be able to prevent and suppress those crimes more effectively and efficiently.

   In 2001, 10 officials from Indonesia (2 officials), Laos, Malaysia (2 officials), Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and India participated in the course, and in 2002, 12 officials from Cambodia, China, Indonesia (2 officials), Laos (2 officials), Malaysia (2 officials), Myanmar, Philippines (2 officials) and India participated. In 2003, 14 officials from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and India etc. will participate.

(c) Seminar on Organized Crime in the Asian Region

   The purpose of this seminar is to contribute to capacity building of Asian countries by inviting law-enforcement experts responsible for controlling organized crime. The contents include countermeasures against organized crime and sharing intelligence among the participants' countries.

   In 2001, 14 officials from Cambodia, China (3 officials), Indonesia (2 officials), Malaysia, Palau, Philippines (3 officials), Thailand (2 officials) and Vietnam participated in the seminar. In 2002, 16 officials from Cambodia (2 officials), China (3 officials), Indonesia (2 officials), Malaysia, Palau, Philippines (4 officials), Thailand (2 officials) and Vietnam participated. In 2003, 17 officials from Cambodia (2 officials), China (3 officials), Indonesia (2 officials), Malaysia (2 officials), Philippines (4 officials), Sri Lanka, Thailand (2 officials) and Vietnam participated. In 2004, almost same number of countries and officials are expected to participate.

(vi) Anti-Terrorist Financing

(a) Assistance provided by Asian Development Bank (ADB) from the Asian Currency Crisis Support Facility (ACCSF), financed by the Government of Japan

   Using the ACCSF financed by the Japanese government, Japan is providing assistance to the Philippines with a view to planning the implementation of an anti-money laundering system, designing a monitoring system and planning training courses for officials in relevant agencies. The project began last year and is expected to conclude in 2004. Japan is also providing assistance to Indonesia with a view to assisting in the implementation of anti-money laundering law and implementing necessary guidance and a training course. The project just started this month (February 2003) and is expected to conclude in 2004.

(b) Anti-Money Laundering Assistance to Indonesia (implemented by JICA)

   On 16th December 2002, JICA hosted an international seminar on Indonesia's anti-money laundering with a view to socializing executive officials including Head-to-be of PPATK with practical knowledge on FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) activities. A short-term expert on anti-money laundering from Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) was dispatched to the seminar. The expert explained the activities of Japan's FIU. Japan is now implementing a project of providing a compliance manual for the commercial bank staff.

(c) Seminar on FIU

   FSA plans to hold a seminar on FIU activities for Indonesian officials including Head of PPATK on 3 June 2003. The purpose of the seminar is to (1) deepen understanding on various FIU-related issues such as institutional matters, legal matters and data processing, and (2) provide practical skills which are used to manage FIU.

(3) New measures to be taken

In addition to the seminars in the above six areas, Japan plans to take new measures in the following two areas;

(a) Crisis and Consequence Management Capacity Building in case of CBRN terrorism (implemented by JICA)

   Starting from FY 2003 Japan plans to receive 30 trainees every year, 150 trainees in total for five years with a view to enhancing crisis and consequence management capacity in case of CBRN terrorism such as biological and chemical terrorism. The objective is to contribute to capacity building of Asian countries by inviting officials from ministries and agencies responsible for policy-making and coordination in the field of counter-terrorism and crisis management and providing them with knowledge and experience necessary for planning, developing and coordinating comprehensive policy on international counter-terrorism cooperation and domestic CT measures.

(b) Seminar to encourage accession to counter-terrorism related international conventions

   The purpose of this seminar is to encourage counter-terrorism related international conventions among officials of those countries which have not yet acceded to some recent counter-terrorism conventions.

List of Japan's Assistance for Counter-Terrorism [PDF] acrobat

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