Ⅵ. INITIATIVES OF JAPANPREVENTING SMUGGLINGCUSTOMSFOR

1. Effective Use of Inspection Equipment(1) X-ray inspection equipment
Customs has installed various X-ray inspection equipment in order to inspect commercial cargo,passengers' personal effects, international mail, etc. being imported and exported more speedily andappropriately without opening them. Fully utilizing such X-ray inspection systems, Customs endeavors tofind and seize smuggled methamphetamine, cannabis and other illicit drugs and firearms.
In consideration of the fact that large containers or containerized cargo are used for smuggling, largescale X-ray inspection equipment has been installed at 16 locations (13 ports) nationwide, starting from theone introduced at Yokohama Port in 2001. Previously, it took around 2 hours to bring out and inspect all
cargo of one container, but thanks to the introduction of large-scale equipment, it became possible tocomplete an inspection of one container in around 10 minutes, and the time required for inspections wasthus reduced significantly.
Recently, X-ray CT scanning inspection systems, with which the inside of the cargo can be visualizedin 3D images, are also being introduced and utilized.

(2) Customs' patrol boats
Customs' patrol boats dispatched from customs
offices surveil a wide area and crack down on smuggling
at seaports or trade on the sea that uses fishing boats.

(3) Drug detector dogs
The first 2 drug detector dogs were introduced withthe cooperation of the US customs in 1979. At present,approx. 130 dogs are stationed at customs offices
nationwide. They are mainly used for inspections ofpassengers' personal effects and international mail, etc.
and have contributed to a number of seizures ofcannabis, methamphetamine or other illicit drugs. In
2002, dogs to detect explosives and drugs were also
introduced.
(4) Port monitoring camera systems
Since March 1996, highly sensitive monitoring cameras with night vision have been installed at major
seaports to tighten surveillance of vessels, movement of goods, and persons at the port areas.

(5) Metal detector gates
Metal detector gates were first introduced in 2017 ascountermeasures against the smuggling of gold bullion, and havealready been installed at airports and ports nationwide.
Compared with conventional hand-held metal detectors, metaldetector gates enable stricter regulations through swift customs
clearing targeting a larger number of passengers, without theneed to stop the procedural flow.

(6) Illicit drugs and explosives detector systems
Illicit drugs and explosives detector system (TDS; TraceDetection System) detects concealed methamphetamine, otherillicit drugs, and explosives through the procedures of wiping thesurface of commercial cargo, passengers' personal effects, andinternational mail, etc. being imported or exported, ionizingcollected specimens, and analyzing their mass. The TDS hascontributed to seizures of a large amount of methamphetamineand other illicit drugs. As the TDS enables detection of concealed
illicit drugs and explosives in a short time without destroying
inspection targets, swift and strict inspections have become possible.
(7) Electronic Customs Declaration Gate System
As of April 2022, the Electronic Customs Declaration Gate
System (e-Gate) is operating at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport,Kansai Airport, Chubu Airport, Fukuoka Airport, New Chitose
Airport and Naha Airport. A passenger can complete thesubmission of "Declaration of Accompanied Articles andUnaccompanied Articles" by having an electronic declaration
terminal scan the IC passport and the QR code created by theCustoms Declaration App, and taking the customs entry
procedures in accordance with the terminal's instructions. During
this process, face photos are taken to verify identification with thephoto in the IC passport. After completing the procedures at theterminal, the passenger is asked to go to the electronic declarationgate. The passenger may simply pass through the gate as facephotos are taken once again for facial recognition.
(Please download the Customs Declaration App fromthe QR code below.)

App Store

Google PlayCustoms declaration
WEB(8) Utilization of digital forensics
Digital forensics are techniques and procedures for analyzing electromagnetic records to provecrimes. Information collected from digital data of communication equipment that was used in acrime often serves as significant objective evidence for solving the crime. With further
advancement of ICT in society and economy, such information and digital forensics are expected
to become even more significant.

2. Customs Controls by Utilizing Information(1) Utilization of the information system
The Customs Intelligence Database System (CIS)—a computerized system capable of sorting out andmanaging a wide variety of information, such as customs clearance for exports and imports as well as ship
entries and departures—has been introduced at customs offices throughout the nation. Through theimprovement and reinforcement of the system for intelligence analysis, processing, and management,
intensive and efficient border control of smuggling is being carried out.
(2) Utilization of prior information
For effective and efficient border control, enforcement activities actively utilizing prior information,such as passenger name records (information on passenger reservation and boarding procedures held byairline companies), are being conducted.
(3) Development of the Customs controls system
Each customs office has the Customs Intelligence in charge of handling smuggling-related information
with an appointed Customs Intelligence Manager. Additionally, the National Intelligence & Targeting
Center, which conducts nationwide collection and analysis of information, was established and has been
comprehensively managing and analyzing smuggling-related information received from domestic lawenforcement authorities, such as the police and the Japan Coast Guard, as well as from foreign customs
and other sources. In this manner, efforts have been made to reinforce the capacity to collect and analyze
information.
In order to cope with organized and large-scale smuggling cases, the Criminal Investigation
Center and the Customs Surveillance and Control Center were established. In close collaboration
among these three Centers, efficient and effective enforcement activities have been conductedagainst cases involving two or more jurisdictions.
(4) Strengthened cooperation with trade circles for better information collection
Customs has concluded Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with various related organizations,
aimed at ensuring greater cooperation in the prevention of smuggling.
Organizations with which the Customs and Tariff Bureau has concluded MOUs: 11 organizations
The Japanese Shipowners' Association; The Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan;
Japan Air Cargo Forwarders Association; Japan Customs Brokers Association;
Japan Foreign Steamship Association; Japan Fisheries Association;
Japan Oceangoing Passenger Ship Association; All Nippon Hotel Association;
Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association; All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association; andNational Federation of Fisheries Co-operative Associations(5) Enhancement of collection of information from the public
Ongoing efforts to gather information from the public throughout the nation include the opening of asingle toll-free telephone number accessible 24 hours a day from everywhere across the nation, thedistribution of leaflets, and public relations activities such as those regarding law enforcement
countermeasures at the border by using posters, the Japan Customs' website, and various social media
services (Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube).

[Leaflet][Poster]* In addition, materials for port-related organizations and fishery cooperatives, for logistics companies and warehousecompanies, and for accommodation suppliers have been made and distributed.

[Customs YouTube Channel][Tekken× Japan Customs]
Protect and Take over Responsibility for People's
Lives
Access to videos
Customs YouTube Channel[Customs Twitter]@Custom_kun

SMUGGLING - HOTLINE(24 hours a day: toll-free)

０１２０－４６１－９６１(Call Customs, Ministry of Finance, for
information on smuggling.)[Customs Facebook]

＠Japan.Customs

Customs website
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/
quest/smuggling_e.htm
Webpage for information provisionhttps://www.customs.go.jp/english/
quest/smuggling_e.htm

3. Closer Cooperation with Relevant Agencies(1) Border controls through cooperation with relevant agencies
With the aim of imposing effective controls at the border, Customs, police, Coast Guard, and otherorganizations are working in close cooperation, each making full use of its own information,organizational resources, jurisdiction, and experience. In more specific terms, Customs is conducting joint
training and joint operations together with the police and Coast Guard across the country.

(2) Holding of Law Enforcement Meeting on Measures against Smuggling
The Customs and Tariff Bureau of the Ministry of Finance organizes the Law Enforcement Meeting onMeasures against Smuggling with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the ministries and agencies
concerned and promoting the exchange of information needed to interdict smuggling cases. Thus,
information exchange is promoted at the national level. Regional customs offices also organize regionallaw enforcement meetings on smuggling with the law enforcement authorities concerned to promote
information exchange at the regional level.

4. Promotion of International Information Exchange(1) Promotion of information exchange with foreign customs administrations
As the single contact point of Japan Customs for information exchange with foreign customs
administrations, the International Intelligence Office has been established in the National Intelligence &Targeting Center. Japan Customs has been continuing its efforts to promote the establishment of aninternational framework of customs cooperation with foreign countries, such as Customs Mutual
Assistance Agreements (hereinafter referred to as "CMAAs"), which includes provisions for informationexchange concerning the smuggling of illicit goods (e.g. illicit drugs) (See "Present Status of the Customs
Mutual Assistance Agreements, etc.").
Utilizing international networks, including the ones managed by the World Customs Organization(WCO) and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for Asia and the Pacific, Japan Customs
exchanges smuggling-related information and intelligence with foreign customs administrations and otherlaw enforcement authorities.
(Reference) RILO (Regional Intelligence Liaison Office)
The RILO is the base for the WCO regional projects, which has been established for the purpose of promoting
information exchange on illicit drugs among customs administrations in the region and improving the intelligence analysis
on the trends of smuggling in the region. The RILO for Asia and the Pacific, in which Japan Customs has a membership,
was established as the first RILO of the world in December 1987. Japan Customs hosted the RILO for Asia and the Pacific(located in Tokyo Customs) for the five years from January 1999 and has continued active participation in the RILO
project with many contributions. The RILO for Asia and the Pacific, whose office has been in South Korea since January
2012, analyzes trends in smuggling within the region based on reports from participant countries and regions on interdicted
cases of smuggling of illicit drugs and related objects, distributes the results to participating countries and otherorganizations, and facilitates the information exchange among participating customs administrations.

(2) Information exchange under CMAAs
Japan Customs is actively working toward new CMAAs in order to facilitate information exchangewith the source or transit countries of illicit drugs and firearms, and is also committed to further promoting
information exchange through the existing CMAAs.
(Reference) Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements
A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement is an international agreement that includes the provision of the mutual
assistance by the customs authorities of the Contracting Parties for the prevention of smuggling of goods harmful tosociety and strict border control against goods infringing intellectual property rights, and also provides for cooperation in
simplification and harmonization of customs procedures.

(3) Collecting smuggling-related information through the dispatch of officers and online conferences
Customs officers are sent to the countries and regions that are likely to be sources for illicit drugs, etc.
smuggled into Japan to collect information on smuggling and exchange opinions with foreign customs
administration. In addition, efforts are being made to establish mutual cooperative relations with theforeign customs administrations by the use of online conferences. Japan Customs also dispatches officers
specialized in intelligence analysis to the countries and regions which are tackling offenses related toillicit drugs smuggling and holds online conferences to exchange views on the analysis of intelligence on
source countries of smuggling, etc.

(4) Participation in international conferences
Japan Customs is actively taking part ininternational conferences (including onlineparticipation), such as the Enforcement
Committee of the WCO and the UN
Commission on Narcotic Drugs, to exchange
opinions and information on control of illicit
drugs with various countries.
Present Status of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements, etc. (As of January 2022)< Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements (CMAAs) >U.S.A. (Jun. 1997), Republic of Korea (Dec. 2004), China (Apr. 2006), EU (Feb. 2008),
Russia (May 2009), the Netherlands (Mar. 2010), Italy (Apr. 2012), South Africa (Jul. 2012),
Germany (Dec. 2014), Spain (May 2015), Norway (Sept. 2016), Mexico (Jul. 2018),
Uzbekistan (Dec. 2019), U.K. (Jan. 2021), Iran (Aug. 2021, signed), Brazil (Sept. 2021),
Uruguay (Oct. 2021), and Moldova (Jan. 2021, signed),< EPAs(Note 2) >Enforcing or Singapore (Nov. 2002), Malaysia (Jul. 2006), Thailand (Nov. 2007), Indonesia (Jul. 2008),
signed (39 Brunei Darussalam (Jul. 2008), the Philippines (Dec. 2008), Switzerland (Sept. 2009), Vietnam(Oct. 2009), India (Aug. 2011), Peru (Mar. 2012), Australia (Jan. 2015), Mongolia (Jun. 2016),
countries
and TPP11(*) (Mar. 2018, signed)
and*(Note 4)
TPP11(CPTPP) participants: Mexico, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, Australia,regions(Note1))
Vietnam, Peru, Brunei Darussalam, Chili, and Malaysia< Administrative Arrangements >Australia (Jun. 2003; Jul. 2017, revised), New Zealand (Apr. 2004; Jun. 2014, revised), Canada(Jun. 2005), Hong Kong; China (Jan. 2008), Macau; China (Sept. 2008), France (Jun. 2012),
U.K. (Jun. 2013), Belgium (Jul. 2017), and Austria (May 2019)< Others >Chinese Taipei (Nov. 2017)*(Note 5)(Note 1) A country with which Japan has concluded multiple frameworks in different formats is counted as one. (ex. withAustralia, Japan has concluded an EPA, TPP and administrative arrangement.)(Note 2) EPAs listed here are those incorporating provisions concerning customs mutual assistance.
(Note 3) Those underlined incorporate the content of the amendment of the Customs Act in FY2012 for the purpose ofenhancing information exchange with foreign customs administrations.
(Note 4) TPP11 (CPTPP) was signed by 11 countries in March 2018. Countries with a dotted underline are those which havereported the completion of their procedures under domestic laws to New Zealand, the Depositary of the Agreement,and for which the agreement has become effective.
(Note 5) Regarding Chinese Taipei, a private sector arrangement signed between the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association andthe Taiwan-Japan Relations Association.

(5) Technical cooperation for enhancing border control capacity
In order to ensure a safe and secure society in Japan through enhancing the border control capacity of
the customs administration of developing countries, such as by strengthening their capabilities forcollecting and analyzing information on smuggling of illicit drugs and firearms, Japan Customs has been
dedicated to technical cooperation to extend Japan's expertise and technologies in this field.