JAPANESE REACTIONS TO TERRORISM IN LONDON AND EGYPT

With the recent attacks in London and Egypt, the subject of terrorism is once again coming to the fore in Japanese political discussions. In both of the most recent attacks—the July 21st attacks in London and the July 23rd attacks in Sharm al-Shaikh—no Japanese were reported to be injured. Three Japanese who had been in Sharm al-Shaikh on a tour were reported to be safe.

Both attacks were of course condemned. The MOFA statement on the Egypt attacks stated: “Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and the Government of Japan firmly condemns atrocious terrorism that victimizes many innocent people.”

The newspapers again puiblished editorials condemning the attacks in their own various ways. The Yomiuri Shinbun, of course, called for more police action demanded that the Japanese government speed up the implimentation of its own antiterrorist measures. The liberal papers, the Asahi and the Mainichi, focused more on resolving the political issues. In particular, the Mainichi Shinbun suggested that the Arab-Israeli conflict was one of the background factors that gave rise to terrorism and called for Western states to rebuild their relationships with the Arab states, which had been seriously damaged by the Iraq War.

The Mainichi Shinbun went a little further as well by interviewing a French criminologist in a short article on the 24th. This fellow (whose name was only given in katakana) said that Japan’s stance in regard to the Iraq War had made it more likely that Japan would be targeted by Islamic extremists. However, he felt that due to the small number of Muslims in Japan proper, attacks on Japanese interests would probably take place abroad—perhaps an attack on tourists in Thailand or something of the sort.

Meanwhile, on the 22nd, the National Police Agency conducted a large antiterrorism drill at an amusement park in Tokyo, just to make sure that they were prepared. The theme of the drill was a sarin gas attack, like the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo attacks.

The attacks in Sharm al-Shaikh fell on Egypt’s National Day, and so ironically the Japan Times ran a full page suppliment on Japan-Egypt relations on the very day of the attacks. The most interesting feature was a short article by Yuriko Koike, the current Minister of the Environment. She’s a bit of a strange case. Politically, she is far to the right. However, I have heard that she speaks Arabic. In the article she noted that fact that she was born in July 1952, the same month as the Egyptian Revolution, and that she considers Egypt to be her “spiritual home.”

Although her personal reactions to the terrorist attacks have not been noted, it is safe to assume that her condemnations would be stronger and more deeply felt than most.

Finally, I reproduce below the full statement of UN Ambassador Shinichi Kitaoka in regard to Japan’s antiterrorism stance. Kitaoka, for those who don’t know him, was a rightwing academic before his diplomatic appointment. Four of his articles are listed in the Shingetsu Bibliography. He was a strong critic of Japan’s policy during the Persian Gulf War of 1991 and is an enthusiastic advocate of Japanese cooperation with rightwing circles in Washington.


STATEMENT ON COUNTER-TERRORISM-RELATED ACTIVITIES
H.E. Mr. Shinichi Kitaoka
July 20, 2005

Mr. President,

I would like to welcome the Chairs of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and the 1540 Committee, and express my appreciation for their briefings.

My delegation would first of all like to express its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and hopes for early recovery to those who suffered injury in the London simultaneous terrorist bombings on 7 July. Terrorism must never be condoned. As in the case of the Madrid train bombings and the attacks on the Tokyo subway system with sarin gas, innocent lives were taken by the targeting of mass transit for terror attacks, which is surely the most reprehensible act imaginable.

As is evident from the London terrorist bombings, terrorism continues to pose an immediate threat to all of us, as does the risk of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery falling into terrorist hands. The Security Council has been working in earnest to cope with such threats. Following the meeting in April, it is extremely meaningful that, today, the Chairs of the three committees have provided clear explanations of the work done by their respective committees and experts, and described the programmes of the Security Council as a whole which are devoted to the common task of fighting against terrorism. Deepening the cooperation among these committees will ensure the development of an effective counter-terrorism policy.

Mr. President,

There are four points I would like to emphasize which may help to further advance the work of the three committees.

First, it became clear once again from the London terrorist bombings that it is of utmost importance to urgently establish preventive measures to counter terrorism. Enhancing information sharing and cooperation is one such measure. In addition to bilateral arrangements, it is important that the Security Council encourages Member States to utilize information and experience accumulated by bodies such as the International Criminal and Police Organization (Interpol), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Such efforts will enable States to deny entry to terrorists by sharing information on lost and stolen passports and to suppress terrorist financing.

Second, capacity building of Member States is of course crucial. The CTC has finished its first round of country visits, which began in March this year. Japan regards such visits to be useful for capacity building of those States visited. Of course, the country visits need to be constantly improved and follow-up of the visits is also necessary. My government expects that the CTC will encourage the efforts of the visiting States and identify the areas where assistance from the international community is needed, thereby facilitating actual provision of assistance and effectively achieving its intended objectives. From that point of view, we will closely observe the developments achieved by the end of this year. Information on the assistance needs of Member States provided to the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee and the 1540 Committee must be shared with the CTC. Japan will continue to provide bilateral assistance for capacity building.

Third, in order to prevent the proliferation of terrorists and terrorist acts, improvement and strengthening of sanction measures continues to be necessary. From that point of view, as a result of the discussion currently taking place with regard to the new resolution on the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee, my government expects that we will soon be able to decide on ways to improve and strengthen sanction measures by, for example, establishing clearer procedures so that the consolidated list of the Committee will be easier for Member States to use, strengthening the cooperation between the Committee and Interpol and setting up a system to effectively implement asset freezing measures. In this connection, Japan appreciates the three reports prepared by the Monitoring Team. We are certain that, in conjunction with today's discussion, the reports will contribute greatly to improving and strengthening the sanction measures.

Fourth, in the fight against terrorism, the full cooperation of Member States in the efforts of the United Nations is, after all, indispensable. As underscored on various other occasions, Japan would like to urge Member States to join and implement the twelve counter-terrorism-related international conventions and protocols as a matter of urgency and to sign the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism in its early stage. At the same time, it is essential for the international community to clearly state that the targeting and deliberate killing of civilians and non-combatants cannot be justified or legitimized by any cause or grievance, and to cooperate in concluding the negotiation of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by June 2006.

Although it takes time and is a difficult task to prepare domestic legislation and measures to implement Security Council resolutions 1267, 1373, 1540 and other relevant resolutions, the sound way to counter terrorism is to continue to make steady progress in such preparations. The Security Council will continue to strive to make provision for an effective mechanism for counter-terrorism policy and to ensure that necessary assistance be provided to those Member States requiring and requesting it. To facilitate that, cooperation such as the submission of reports without delay and provision of information to each committee is essential.

Mr. President,

No State, whether developed or developing, is exempt from the threat of terrorism. Every State is constantly studying ways to enable its people to live in a safe world, and the United Nations is at the forefront of gathering and sharing the accumulated knowledge and experience of Member States in this regard.

Japan supports Secretary-General Annan's recommendation to implement a comprehensive strategy for counter-terrorism. My government expects that all Heads of State will accept the Secretary-General's recommendation at the Summit Meeting in September. In addition, in order to further strengthen the actions taken by the Security Council, my government will continue to extend its full cooperation for the work of the three committees.

Thank you.

Sources:

Nakanishi, Hiroshi, “Tai-Tero Kessoku, Nihon ni Yakuwari (Japan Should Play a Role in Anti-Terror Solidarity),” Asahi Shinbun, July 9, 2005.

Yomiuri Shinbun “Nihon no Tero Taisaku—Shingaku Ronso yori Genjitsuteki Torikumi (Japan’s Anti-Terror Measures: Work on Practical Issues Rather than Argue about Theology),” Yomiuri Shinbun, July 10, 2005.

Hollingworth, William, “Wary Japanese Return to London Transit,” Japan Times, July 18, 2005.

Mainichi Shinbun, “Nihonjin Kankokyaku 3-nin no Buji Kakunin (The Safety of Three Japanese Tourists is Confirmed),” Mainichi Shinbun, July 23, 2005.

Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “’Hojin Higai no Joho wa Nai’—Gaisho (The Foreign Minister Says ‘There is No Information of Japanese Casualties),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, July 22, 2005.

Asahi Shinbun, “Eikoku Tero—Shin no Yuki ga Tamesareru (Terrorism in Britain: True Courage is Tested),” Asahi Shinbun, July 23, 2005.

Nihon Keizai Shinbun, “Nihonjin no Higai ‘Joho wa Nai’—Nihon Taishikan (The Japanese Embassy States That There is ‘No Information’ about any Japanese Casualties),” Nihon Keizai Shinbun, July 23, 2005.

Yomiuri Shinbun, “Genchi Hoteru Taizai no 3 Nihonjin Buji Kakunin (The Safety of Three Japanese Staying in a Nearby Hotel is Confirmed),” Yomiuri Shinbun, July 23, 2005.

Yomiuri Shinbun, “Rondon Tero—Nihon mo Jinsoku ni Taio Taisei o Totonoe yo (The London Terrorism: Quickly Prepare Japan’s Services as Well),” Yomiuri Shinbun, July 23, 2005.

Badr, Hisham Mohamed Moustafa, “Scope of Japan-Egypt Friendship Limitless,” Japan Times, July 24, 2005.

Fukushima, Yoshinori, “Futsu Hanzai Gakusha Booeru-shi—‘Nihonjin e no Tero Genjitsumi Aru’ (The French Criminologist Alain Boel Says that a Terrorist Attack on Japanese is Likely),” Mainichi Shinbun, July 24, 2005.

Koike, Yuriko, “Spiritual Home: Egypt Success Important,” Japan Times, July 24, 2005.

Komura, Masahiko, “Japan-Egypt Partnerships Helping Middle East Peace, Iraqi Medical,” Japan Times, July 24, 2005.

Kyodo News, AFP-Jiji, “Latest Blasts in London Condemned,” Japan Times, July 24, 2005.

Mainichi Shinbun, “Tero Yokushi—Obei to Arabu Shokoku no Kyoryoku o (Stop Terrorism: Europe and America Must Cooperate with the Arab Countries),” Mainichi Shinbun, July 24, 2005.

Yomiuri Shinbun, “Ejiputo no Tero de Gaimusho ga Hinan Kaidan (The Foreign Ministry Condemns the Terrorism in Egypt,” Yomiuri Shinbun, July 24, 2005.