### Section 3. Future Prospects

Although the number of confirmed Penal Code offenses in Japan has been falling since the peak year of 2002, the people continue to feel anxiety over the state of public security. The issue of the “globalization of crimes” taken up in this special feature is a problem which is rapidly developing along with economic globalization, and is a huge threat to public security.

With the globalization of the world economy, corporations aim to seek out, not just within one country but within the world, the highest quality of materials and human resources at the cheapest cost, and produce goods of the highest global standard. Like enterprises, international criminal organizations set up activity bases across the globe, enlarge their networks and work to commit easy and efficient crime.

Preemptive initiatives are important in order to effectively respond to this situation. The police must fully improve tools to fight international criminal organizations through close linkages with related organizations and superior investigatory methods. Furthermore, the police organizations everywhere must exert their full power to prepare for an effective response to the globalization of crime in every region of Japan. Work must not stop at simply clearing cases as they happen, it is vital that the networks and infrastructure of international criminal organizations be uncovered and that international criminal organizations be assuredly weakened and crushed.

The fight against the “globalization of crimes” is not just the problem of Japan alone. For example, should a certain country have a weak policy on crime, it will become the target of international criminal organizations and from there the threat those organizations pose to the world shall expand. This is why it is vital that the close partnerships be formed with foreign security organizations.

The Japanese police are reconstructing the fight against international criminal organizations by formulating methods to fight the “globalization of crimes,” linking up with related domestic organizations and creating systems for international cooperation with foreign security organizations.

### 1. Formulating Methods to the Fight Globalization of Crimes

In order to weaken and crush international criminal organizations, measures to protect Japan’s borders must be thoroughly carried out through strengthened linkages with the Immigration Bureau, Japan Customs and other related domestic organizations. For example, there is a need for the Immigration Bureau to work to prevent the entry into Japan of dangerous fugitives and those on ICPO wanted lists by carefully examining the passports of travelers when they enter the country.

Along with the revision of the Immigration Control Act in 2006, it was made mandatory for information on travelers to Japan to be submitted to the Japanese Government before the travelers arrive. However, as there is no framework for the submission of information when a traveler leaves the country, it is difficult to quickly chase after fugitives fleeing Japan. The police must not allow criminals to run away and get off free, and for this reason, in addition to quickly issuing a warrant to the Bureau of Immigration after it is discovered that a fugitive will flee, methods are being formulated to quickly grasp when a fugitive has actually left the country. Progress must be made to quickly arrest those who flee.

If, under current laws, it was possible to apply controlled delivery exceptions used by Japan Customs for controlled substance investigations to other prohibited items, effective investigation methods could be utilized during joint operations with foreign security organization against international criminal organizations.

It is important that the police continue in this way, cooperating and linking up with related organizations while working to clear cases of the “globalization of crimes.”

### 2. Close Linkages with Related

## Organizations and Groups

The police recognized that certain junkyards around the nation have become hotbeds for criminal organizations. In order to ensure that such junkyards are not used as a transfer or holding location for the disassembly and shipment of stolen goods, initiatives are being forwarded, and the police are following through with control measures. In order to fully carry out countermeasures, close information exchanges are taking place with related agencies. There is a need to further the understanding of the situation at junkyards.

As the birthrate slows and society ages and Japan progresses towards being a society with a shrinking population, there is a need to plan for sustained and sustainable social functions. For this purpose, it is vital that Japan actively accept foreigners and help them smoothly adjust to Japanese life. This will also help to