Its banking institutions are among the most secretive in the world, and the reporting of suspicious transactions by financial institutions is voluntary. Currency transportation reporting requirements are viewed by the GOJ as a foreign exchange control mechanism, rather than a mechanism to prevent money laundering. Although this represents a criminal violation under Japanese law, Japanese authorities declined to take action. III Country Actions Against Drugs in 1996 Policy Initiatives. In July, the Government of Japan established a central intelligence office on narcotics and smuggling and has improved its intelligence and analysis capabilities.
Japan is generally cooperative, on an informal basis, in law enforcement matters.
The Japanese cooperate fully with regard to USG fugitive transit requests. Law Enforcement Efforts. Cocaine and heroin use is small but growing. In July, customs authorities in Yokohama seized 552 kgs of methamphetamines that was being smuggled from Taiwan. Other significant drug seizures in 1996 included the seizure of over 3,000 tablets of diazepan from a Thai citizen at Narita Airport, and 7.5 kgs of cocaine discovered aboard a ship in Yokohama.