Topic V: The Threat of International Terrorism and Police Counter
Terrorism Initiatives(1) The Threat of International Terrorism
Reaching JapanThe recent trend of international terrorism
is greatly changing with the rise of ISIL,
which operates in the region of Iraq andSyria. ISIL is attracting many foreign
fighters from around the world, by a greatamount of revenue from oil fields theyoccupy and other financial resources, and by
spreading ideological propaganda. There is aconcern that these foreign fighters might carryout terror attacks when they return to theirhome countries. In Japan, the TokyoMetropolitan
PoliceDepartment
isinvestigating a person who is suspected ofattempting to travel to Syria to join ISIL andbecome a combatant as a case of preparationor plot for private war. Japan is thus notexempt from the threats of foreign terrorist
fighters.
There are terrorist attacks conducted byradicalized individuals who have noconnection with terrorist organizations(lone-wolf terrorists) in Western countries.
Among them are the serial terror attacks that
occurred in Denmark in February 2015.
Propaganda
disseminatedbyterrorist
organizations like ISIL and Al Qaeda-relatedorganizations through media and the Internet
has radicalizing effects on these lone actors
who are inclined to carry out attacks.

Under these circumstances, two Japanesenationals were killed in Syria in January andFebruary 2015, which deeply shocked Japanand the world. On February 1, 2015, a video
featuring these murders was released allegedly
by ISIL on the Internet. This video, addressedto the Japanese government, contains
messages which suggest that ISIL would
continue to target Japanese nationals.
Considering the current situation, terrorist
threats against Japan have become reality.

An ISIL combatant, warning of the Japanesenationals' execution (Kyodo)(2) Terrorist Attacks Targeting Large-Scale
EventsJapan will be hosting the G7 Summit in2016 and the Tokyo Olympic andParalympic Games in 2020. These
high-profile, large-scale international events
can be targeted by terrorists, as they attract
world attention. The Olympic and Paralympic
Games, in particular, attract extremely highattention, since a number of high-level
officials, athletic teams, and spectators will begathering from all over the world. On theseoccasions, there is no denying the possibilityof Japan becoming a target of terrorists.
Indeed, during the 1972 Summer Olympics
in Munich, Germany, Israeli Olympic teamISIL Combatants (Afro)- 35 -members were assaulted. Also, during the1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, U.S., aterrorist bombing occurred at the Central
Olympic Park. Additionally, in recent years, aterrorist bombing attack targeting London's
subway system took place in July 2005 during
the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, the United
Kingdom, killing 56 people. Also, in April
2013, a terrorist bombing attack took place ashort distance from the finish line of theBoston Marathon, killing three people.
Furthermore, in Volgograd, a city locatedabout 680 kilometers northeast of Sochi,Russia, which was preparing for the 2014
Winter Olympic Games, three suicidebombings took place between October andDecember 2013, in which a total of 40 people
were killed. Terrorist attacks targetinglarge-scale events have claimed the lives ofmany people in various parts of the world inrecent years.

various counterterrorism measures andexpending all possible means to prevent actsof terrorism.
I. Enhancing the Ability of Intelligence
Collection and Analysis
In order to prevent terrorist attacks, it isnecessary to collect a wide range of
information and accurately analyze it. Asterrorism is an extremely highly-secretive
activity and the majority of relevant
information gathered is fragmentary, theaccumulation and comprehensive analysis ofsuch information is necessary. The police areenhancing their ability to gather and analyze
intelligence by working more closely with thesecurity intelligence agencies and otherinstitutions of other countries. The NPA
Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Department
are playing a key role in this initiative.
II. Rigorous Crackdowns on Illegal
Activities
In the event that the police recognize any
illegal activity and possible terrorist attack
plots through intelligence collection andanalysis, strict measures will be taken inaccordance with law and evidence.
III. Enhancing Vigilance and Security
Activities
With the recent difficult situation caused byinternational terrorism in mind, the police areboosting their vigilance and security activities
for important facilities, including the office of
the Prime Minister, airports, nuclear facilities,
and facilities related to the U.S. and for public
transportation such as railways.

The trolleybus wreckage caused by the suicidebombing in Volgograd, Russia (Jiji)(3) Police Counter Terrorism Initiatives
As Japan will be hosting large-scale events inthe near future, the police are promoting

Security at airports
Security at the Diet Building- 36 -IV. Enhancing Border Controls
In order to prevent terrorists from entering thecountry, it is important for Japan as a country
surrounded by the ocean to effectively
promote border controls by conducting
immigration examinations, export and importcargo inspections and other measures atinternational airports and seaports. The
government has established the Interagency
Team on Border Security and Crisis
Management within the Cabinet Secretariat,
and coordinating to enhance border control
measures carried out by the relevantorganizations. In addition, airport/seaportsecurityandcrisis
managementadministrators/officers placed at international

airports and seaports, are taking the lead in
conducting drills simulating specific cases andin improving the protection of importantfacilities in cooperation with relatedorganizations.

Joint training for airport counterterrorism measures

System for border control and crisis-management at
airports and seaports- 37 -