Section1: International Terrorism and Countermeasures

1 International Terrorism

(1) Terrorist Threats to Japan

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden died in May 2011. However, his, successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri has declared the continuation of jihad against countries in Europe and the USA. In addition, other Al Qaeda related organizations still retain their potency. Furthermore, incidents that target Japanese nationals and interests, such as a terrorist attack in Aménas, Algeria, in January 2013, in which over 30 people including 10 Japanese nationals were killed, have occurred, and it can be said that Japan is facing the threat of overseas and domestic large-scale/indiscriminate terrorism.

## (2) North Korea

As of June 1, 2013, the police have determined thirteen suspected cases of abduction by North Korea involving 19 victims, and are acting on international arrest warrants issued against eleven North Korean operatives involved in eight abduction cases.

Column: New initiatives related to suspected cases of abduction

In order to reinforce police initiatives to reveal the truth behind cases for which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out, the following new initiatives have been implemented.

- The “Special Guidance Team”, established in the Foreign Affairs Division of the NPA Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Department in March 2013, is implementing guidance for prefectural police and strengthening cooperation with the Japan Coast Guard in terms of investigation and research.

- Active extraction of DNA profiling materials for individual cases, taking the necessities of the investigations and the intentions of families into consideration.

- In June of the same year, in order to appeal to the Japanese people to provide information extensively and where the consent of the families was forthcoming, police posted the outlines of cases and other relevant information onto prefectural police websites as “Cases of NPA’s Priority Information Gathering”.

## 2 International Terrorism Countermeasures

In an effort to prevent acts of terrorism, the police are taking measures such as gathering and analyzing information through coordination with overseas security intelligence agencies, implementing administrative measures towards distributors of chemical substances that can be used as materials for explosives, implementing border controls at international ports and airports and promoting vigilance and security at important facilities. In addition, the police are working to improve their response capability in the event of a terrorist attack by implementing daily training for units such as the Special Assault Team (SAT), the Anti-Firearms Squad and the Counter-NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Terrorism Squad.

Additionally, with regards to terrorist threats against nuclear facilities, police have further reinforced their vigilance and security activities, and are implementing other initiatives such as joint training exercises with the Self Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard.

## Section 2: Foreign Affairs and Related Measures

In North Korea, the succession of Kim Jong Un as the First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the First Chairman of the National Defense Commission was formalized in April 2012, and a campaign of propaganda to enhance unity and incite fervor was undertaken, and tension on the Korean peninsula was heightened by the launching of missiles under the pretense of satellite launches in December of the same year.

To preserve national interests, police are striving to gather and analyse information related to operations undertaken by North Korea and other nations and the illegal export of materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and are maintaining a stance of strict enforcement against any illegal activities.