requests for the removal of information to foreign organizations in 2009. 652 such requests have been received from abroad over the same time period. The police pass on these requests to domestic providers.

Note 1: These centers collect information on the posting of illegal information, judge the information by certain standards and request providers and bulletin board system (BBS) administrators to delete the information.

2: International Association of Internet Hotlines. A group that was created in 1999. As of January 2010 it consisted of 36 groups from 31 countries and regions.

## Diagram-24 Trends in the Number of Reports to Foreign Hotlines & the Number of Reports from Abroad (2007-2009)

## 3 ) Progress of Investigation Cooperation for International Cybercrime

The NPA shares technical information on crime control and aims to raise the technical ability of all concerned legal organizations in the Asia-Pacific region to fight cybercrime. This is done through CTINS $ ^{1} $ , which as of April 2010 has 14 member countries and regions. CTNIS gathers the experts who participate in cybercrime investigations in each region and hold regional meetings each year in order to raise every country’s mutual understanding of each other.

## (8) Responding to Intellectual Property Rights Violations

The majority of counterfeit goods violating intellectual property rights are smuggled into Japan from China, the Republic of Korea, and other Asian countries, and the intellectual property rights of Japanese companies are frequently violated in China and other countries. In light of this, the police are conducting information exchanges with the investigatory bodies of Asian nations, cooperating on investigations into crimes, and strengthening partnerships. In addition, through the activities of the Anti-Counterfeiting Association $ ^{2} $ among other groups, the police are working with copyright holders on publicity activities regarding the protection of intellectual property and the elimination of counterfeit goods.

## (9) Responding to money laundering

In order to prevent international money laundering and terrorism financing, it is important that each country cooperate to formulate measures which will prevent the wrongful use of financial services in countries with lax regulations.

## 1 ) Activities by International Organizations and NPA Participation Status

In order to advance money laundering countermeasures in international society, international standards on money laundering and terrorism financing under the frameworks created by the FATF $ ^{3} $ , APG $ ^{4} $ , Egmont Group and other associations are being established and spread. The NPA is actively participating in these activities.

### a. FATF

FATF is an intergovernmental institution established to further international cooperation against money laundering and terrorism financing. As of January 1, 2010, 33 countries and 2 international organizations belong to FATF. FATF formulates legal, judicial and financial measures which should be taken against money laundering and terrorism financing, publishing them as the “40 Recommendations” and “9 Special Recommendations.” In order to make sure that members are strictly following through with the recommendations of FATF, the organization periodically audits member countries by sending auditing missions. Japan was audited for the third time in 2008.

From the beginning, the NPA has tried to actively participate in the activities of FATF. In 2009, the NPA participated in discussions toward the creation of new frameworks to fight money laundering and terrorism financing, and also dispatched personnel to act as auditors for reciprocal audits.

Note 1: Cybercrime Technology Information Network System. Provides methods such as the use of networks to protect information in each country posted in e-mails, BBS, and databases.

2: A voluntary group established in 1986 by industries concerned about IP crime with the aim of disposing of counterfeit goods and protecting IP. The NPA links up with relevant organizations and by participating in symposiums and other events works to publicize the issue, conduct research on the state of counterfeit goods overseas and calls upon foreign investigatory bodies and customs offices to undertake action.

3: Financial Action Task Force