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Progress Report on "ASEAN-JAPAN Joint Declaration for Cooperation in the fight against International Terrorism"

June 2005

At the ASEAN-Japan Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime on June 15, Japan reported its counter-terrorism capacity building assistance with which Japan has provided or plans to provide ASEAN members in accordance with "ASEAN-JAPAN Joint Declaration for Cooperation in the Fight against International Terrorism" adopted at the Japan-ASEAN Summit Meeting in November 2004.

1. Strengthening exchange of information and law enforcement cooperation

(1) Japan participated as an observer in "the 25th ASEAN Chief of Police Conference (ASEANA-POL)" in Bali, May 17-19, 2005. China, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand also participated as an observer. The conference adopted the joint communiqué, which addresses counter-terrorism cooperation such as, (a) to enhance existing mechanisms of cooperation and coordination among ASEAN member countries, (b) to strengthen capacities of police force of ASEAN members through training, seminar, dialogue and information sharing on counter-terrorism efforts, (c) to exchange accurate and timely information on terrorists, terrorist organizations and their modus operandi, (d) to share information on arrested terrorists and facilitate access to member countries to interview arrested terrorists in accordance with the agreement of member countries, and (e) to provide member countries with assistance including tracing, freezing and confiscation of assets related to terrorism in accordance with the agreement of member countries.
(2) In September, 2005, National Police Agency and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) will hold "the Seminar on International Terrorism Investigation".

2. The early conclusion and implementation of all relevant counter-terrorism conventions and protocols and the full compliance of all the relevant United Nations Resolutions on International terrorism, including Security Council Resolutions

(1) In December 2004, Japan held "the Seminar on the Promotion of Accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism" in Tokyo inviting countries participating Bali-Process including ASEAN countries. The Seminar aimed at introducing to Asia-Pacific countries legal framework and experience of Japan and other counties as well as relevant international organizations' efforts through lectures of and discussions with the experts from UNODC (Terrorism Prevention Branch) and the UNAFEI (United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders).
(2) In December 2005, Japan plans to hold "the Seminar on the Promotion of Accession of the 12 Counter-Terrorism Conventions and Protocols" in Tokyo. In order to produce fruitful outcomes this year, Japan has requested participating countries from ASEAN and Asia Pacific to report before the seminar their concrete action plans with concrete time schedule for necessary domestic measures to conclude and implement international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols.
(3) In January 2006, UNAFEI, supported administratively by the Government of Japan plans to hold "the 132nd International Senior Seminar" on Counter-Terrorism in criminal justice area inviting about 30 countries including ASEAN countries.
(4) While there have been efforts made by ASEAN countries, current status of ratification of the 12 counter-terrorism conventions and protocols in ASEAN countries has not made definite progress, according to the report of the UN.

3. Counter and prevent the financing of terrorists and terrorist organizations

(1) Japan has contributed one million US dollars to the Cooperation Fund for Regional Trade and Financial Security Initiative (FRTFSI) in July 2004, which was established by the APEC Leaders' Declaration at Bangkok in 2003. An anti-terrorist financing project was approved in December 2004.
(2) In December 2004, Japan held "the Seminar on the Promotion of Accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism" in Tokyo inviting countries participating Bali-Process including ASEAN countries. The Seminar aimed at introducing to Asia-Pacific countries legal framework and experiences of Japan and other counties as well as relevant international organizations' efforts through lectures of and discussions with the experts from UNODC and the UNAFEI (United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders). (the same as 2. (1))
(3) Japan has been the co-chair of Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) since July 2004, and will participate as the co-chair in the APG annual meeting held in Australia in July 2005. In the meeting, needs of technical assistance and coordination between donor countries will be discussed. Seminars on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing will be also held.

4. Strengthening immigration controls

(1) In November, 2004, Ministry of Justice of Japan held "the Seminar on Immigration Control". Participants were from ASEAN countries, China and Republic of Korea. They exchanged views and information on issues including counter-terrorism measures and border protection.
(2) In March 2005, the 2nd Meeting of Asian Workshop on Passport Policy was held in Tokyo. Participants were from Brunei, China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. They focused on the security of travel documents, passport related crimes and countermeasures against the crimes, latest anti-forgery measures including IC chips and biometric technologies, information sharing on lost and stolen passports, and the effective means of information exchange on Passport Policy in the Asian region.

5. Developing cooperation to enhance national transport security, including aviation security, and maritime security, and container security as agreed in the framework of ARF, ASEAN+3, and ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting

(1) Japan has contributed one million US dollars to the Cooperation Fund for Regional Trade and Financial Security Initiative (FRTFSI) in July 2004, which was established by the APEC Leaders' Declaration at Bangkok in 2003. Projects on aviation and port security are under consideration for approval.
(2) In June 2005, Japan is going to hold "the Third ASEAN-Japan Transport Policy Workshop" in Gifu in the framework of ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting. Japan will report current status of on-going maritime security programs and aviation security projects which are implemented as cooperation projects, and discuss future programs.
(3) Aviation Security
(a) In January, 2006, JICA with cooperation by Ministry Land Infrastructure and Transport of Japan (MILT) plans to hold "the Seminar on Aviation Security". Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos are expected to participate.

(4) Maritime Security
(a) In March 2005, Japan held "the 2nd ASEAN-Japan Seminar on Maritime Security and Combating Piracy" in Tokyo to exchange information on efforts of the ASEAN countries to implement the ISPS Code. Participants agreed to establish a list of focal points in case of Piracy, focal points of maritime policy authorities, and a list of security level of vessel and port facilities.
(b) In October 2005, Japan plans to hold "the Training course on Maritime Law Enforcement Officials" of maritime law enforcement agencies from ASEAN countries, China, Republic of Korea are expected to participate in this training course.
(c) In the framework of ARF, Japan will hold "the ARF Workshop on Capacity Building of Maritime Security" in Tokyo this autumn.

(5) Port Security
(a) In October 2005, MLIT of Japan will hold "the Seminar on Port Facility Security" in Yokohama. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia are expected to participate in the seminar. It aims at facilitating trade, and strengthening security by providing training to port security officials of the governments or port authorities on PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Action) process for enhancing and implementing security measures based on the ISPS Code, which will lead to economy development in Southeast Asia region.

6. Developing cooperative projects with the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism in Malaysia, and explore cooperation with the International Law Enforcement Academy in Thailand, and the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation in Indonesia

(1) In July 2004, Japan and SEARCCT, in their joint initiative, held "the Seminar on Prevention and Crisis Management on Chemical Terrorism" at SEARCCT (Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism), in which officials in charge of counter-chemical terrorism from ASEAN countries, China and Republic of Korea participated. Experts from Japan, Canada, and OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) shared their expertise and experiences to the participants.
(2) In July 2005, Japan and SEARCCT will hold "the Training Course on Prevention and Crisis Management on Biological Terrorism", inviting officials in charge of counter-biological terrorism from ASEAN countries, China, and Republic of Korea. Experts from Japan, US, France, and WHO (World Health Organization) will provide their expertise and experiences to the participants.
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