Campaign against Terrorism - Japan's Measures

February 2002

1. Diplomatic Efforts to Strengthen International Solidarity

  • Diplomatic efforts have been stepped up to strengthen international solidarity towards the prevention and eradication of terrorism, through such means as the dispatch of special envoys, and official letters from the Prime Minister, as well as bilateral, multilateral meetings and telephone talks.

2. Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

  • Based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, which was passed by the Diet on 29 October, Self-Defense Force (SDF) vessels are providing supply of fuel to U.S. and U.K. ships, and SDF aircraft are implementing transportation support as cooperation and support activities.

3. Refugee assistance

  • Japan has provided relief supplies for Afghan refugees including 1,840 tents (for 18,400) and 18,000 blankets to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan on three occasions. SDF transported the first supplies by air (delivered on 9 October) and the third ones by sea (delivered on 12 December) to Pakistan.
  • To support assistance activities for Afthan refugees and displaced persons by the United Nations agencies and other international organizations, Japan has contributed a total of approximately US$ 102.21 million to date (US$59.5 million of this was decided on 18 January).
  • The implementation of support for the Japanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of the Japan Platform, which participate in Afghan refugee assistance activities, is also being undertaken (A money pool fund of 580 million yen has been provided).

4. Assistance to Countries Surrounding Afghanistan

  • On 21 September 2001, the Government of Japan decided to take emergency measures to assista Pakistan, which included bilateral assistance worth approximately US$40 million (4.7 billion yen) In addition, on November 16, the Government of Japan announced that it would provide US$300 million in grant aid to Pakistan, which includes the above-mentioned US$40 million, over approximately next two years to assist Pakistani government's efforts in such fields as education and health to reduce poverty. On October 26, Japan also decided to discontinue measures taken in May 1998 in response to the nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan in view of due achievement by them in the area of non-proliferation.
  • Assistanc of approximately US$8 million to each of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has been made. In addition to this assistance, approximately US$2 million of emergency aid has been provided to Tajikistan.

5. International Cooperation to Combat Terrorism

  • Enhancing international legal frameworks for the prevention and eradication of terrorism: The Government of Japan concluded the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.
  • Measures to Cut Off Terrorists' Funds: The Government of Japan has taken measures to freeze assets of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden and persons and groups related to them and terrorism.
  • Enhancement of legal framework is being progressed in order to implement the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council.

6. Peace and Reconstruction in Afghanistan

  • On 22 December 2001, in addition to recognizing the Interim Authority in Afghanistan as the government of that country, the Government of Japan announced that it would make a contribution to US$1 million to the UN Afghanistan Interim Authority Fund that was established within the UNDP.
  • Measures are being promoted for both peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which are necessary for stability in the country. The International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan was held on 21-22 January 2002 in Tokyo. In the conference, Japan pledged up to $500 million aid over the next 2.5 years (maximum $250 million for the first year).

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