The police have been utilizing the sky marshal system from December 2004 in close cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), other relevant ministries, agencies and airline companies. They are working to improve their response capabilities through exchange of information with various foreign countries.

## 3 ) Dispatch of Terrorism Response Team (TRT-2) – Tactical Wing for Overseas

In April 1998, the NPA established the Terrorism Response Team (TRT) $ ^{1} $ , and this team is dispatched when serious terrorism incidents relating to Japanese nationals and Japan’s interests occur overseas. The team has assisted investigative activities such as gathering information and conducting hostage negotiations in close cooperation with local law enforcement institutions.

Since such requests for assistance tend to vary in type, the existing TRT underwent progressive reorganization in August 2004 to further accurately deal with various requests and launched the Terrorism Response Team-Tactical Wing for Overseas (TRT-2) $ ^{2} $ , which has the capability of carrying out a wider range of assistance for local security agencies.

## Note 1: Terrorism Response Team

2: Terrorism Response Team – Tactical Wing for Overseas

## 4 ) Cooperation with Relevant Government Agencies and Ministries

The police are regularly engaged in information exchange in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces (SDF), and are working to strengthen a response system prepared for possible serious terrorism incidences.

Since 2000, the police have concluded an agreement between the Defense Agency (at that time) and the SDF, and have carried out joint mapped training regarding public security operations for simulated attacks by armed agents, in order to be capable of responding to unlawful acts by armed agents. Prefectural Police conducted joint field exercises with their respective corresponding teams of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSD). The police plan to continue such training in various areas and strengthen their close cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the SDF.

In addition, the police had assumed responsibility of the security of nuclear power stations in cooperation with the Japan Coast Guard, and they plan to continue strengthening their partnership through conducting joint exercises and other methods.

Besides this, the NPA has conducted on-the-spot inspections of nuclear power operation businesses, holders of specific pathogens, etc., in cooperation with relevant agencies, and are continuing efforts to strengthen the safeguarding of nuclear substances and prevent acts of biological terrorism.

The police also require various organizations including the Ministry of Health and Welfare to give comprehensive education and guidance on what actions should be taken by businesses dealing in chemical substances that can be used as the raw materials for explosive devices and also work with related organizations to further enhance the control of these chemical substances. These activities help us proactively prevent terrorist attacks using bombs.

Diagram 4-7 Measures taken targeted for Businesses dealing in Raw Materials used for Explosive Devices

## 5 ) Contributions toward the Freezing of Terrorist Assets

The NPA is also taking part in a liaison conference with relevant ministries and agencies relating to the freezing of terrorist funds and is contributing to an active operation of freezing assets.