## (7) Terrorism and Piracy

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Terrorism occurs beyond national borders and is a major global issue that directly affects not only developing countries, but the entire international community including developed countries. As can be seen in the terrorist attacks taking place frequently across the world, the threat of international terrorism remains serious. Furthermore, the types of terrorists and their methods are diversifying, making it even more necessary to enhance international cooperation for counter-terrorism activities. The frequent occurrence of terrorism has a major impact on the economic activity of the affected country on tourism, foreign direct investment, trade, and other areas. For this reason, enhancing counter-terrorism measures and preventing terrorism is an important for the development of developing countries.

In addition, anti-piracy measures also have to be taken. Since Japan is largely dependent on maritime transport for the import of oil, minerals and other energy resources it needs, initiatives to deal with acts of piracy in neighboring countries are directly related to the peace and stability of Japan itself.

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## ● Fight against Terrorism

Japan has actively participated in counter-terrorism activities in the international community, recognizing that it is important for the international community to unite in its fight against international terrorism and to sustain a long-term approach in a wide range of fields. Particularly from the viewpoint of depriving terrorists of the means to commit terrorist acts or to seek safe haven and overcoming the vulnerability to terrorist attacks, Japan places emphasis on capacity building assistance in areas such as immigration control, transportation security, and combating terrorist financing.

In particular, Japan focuses its assistance on preventing terrorism and ensuring safety and stability in the Southeast Asian region, which has close ties with Japan, and is thus important for Japan as well. Specifically, for example, Japan has been holding seminars and accepting trainees in the areas of immigration control, aviation security, port and maritime security, customs cooperation, export control, law enforcement cooperation, combating terrorist financing, counter-CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) terrorism, $ ^{62} $ counter-terrorism conventions and protocols and others.

In July 2007, Japan held the Seminar on Prevention and Crisis Management of Chemical and Biological Terrorism in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in order to improve crisis management capabilities of Southeast Asian countries and others. Furthermore, Japan has held the Seminar on Immigration Control annually since 1987 in order to improve capacities of immigration personnel in Southeast Asian countries and other countries, and to promote mutual exchanges among them.

Since 2006, Japan has created Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement and has been strengthening support for developing countries on counter-terrorism. In January 2008, Japan offered technical cooperation to customs officials in Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia for their capacity building including that related to anti-terrorism measures and illicit materials control. With this cooperation, large X-ray inspection devices provided to Cambodia through Grant Aid for Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism and Security Enhancement are expected to be operated more effectively.

## Maritime Security

Maritime security is indispensable for the prosperity of Japan that is surrounded by sea. In preventing piracy, it is important to improve the law enforcement capacity of littoral states, to enhance information sharing and to develop human resources. In FY2007, as a project to strengthen maritime security arrangements in waters around Malaysia including the Malacca Strait, one of the major international sea lanes, Japan reinforced security devices used by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency such as laser

Member of the Japan Coast Guard giving guidance on the handling of charts and other matters to the Philippine Coast Guard (Source: JICA)