Newsletter No. 301
Editorial-Opinion
June 13, 2006

 

The following article was carried in the March 2006 issue of Gaiko Forum, a MOFA journal. The author graduated from Hitotsubashi University and has been a MOFA diplomat since 1983. Most recently, he served as an aide to Chief Cabinet Secretaries Yasuo Fukuda and Hiroyuki Hosoda. The English translation is provided by the Shingetsu Institute.

GLOBAL TERRORISM AS AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL SECURITY: SDF OPERATIONS BASED ON THE ANTITERRORISM SPECIAL MEASURES LAW
By Jun Shinmi

September 11, 2001
New York, morning

Completing my near three-year life in Manhattan, this was the day before I was to return home. In my midtown apartment, when I turned on the television, I saw the second plane plunge into the twin towers. I left my apartment and found a huge “wall” of smog reaching towards the heavens and standing in my way. It was as if a giant had suddenly appeared to completely wrap a gray curtain of ash around southern Manhattan. Ominous crackling sounds came in from a distance, and I couldn’t believe, as opposed to a volcanic eruption or an earthquake, that this was something caused by humans. Despite being more than 10 kilometers away, a burning odor drifted in. After a while, fine ashes began falling like snow. Fire-engines and ambulances from all around the city hurried south in a mad rush, and by afternoon, thousands of people covered in ash made their way silently northward from downtown.

 

Can Japan Settle for Being a "Bystander"?

9/11 terror claimed nearly 3000 victims. The victims include at least 24 Japanese. I wondered whether this would be the end of the tragedy? Unfortunately the answer is "no", and 9/11 was merely the story's opening chapter. Since 9/11, ceaseless terrorists’ attacks have menaced international society. Significant attacks include an October bombing which killed 202 people in Bali, Indonesia; an August, 2003 bombing which killed 22 people at an UN office in Baghdad, Iraq; a March, 2004 train bombing which killed 191 people in Madrid, Spain; a February, 2005 terror-bombing which killed 12 people in Manila, Philippines; a July, 2005 subway-bombing which killed 52 people in London; a July, 2005 terror-bombing that killed 88 people in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt; an October, 2005 terrorist bombing which killed 20 people in Bali, Indonesia; a November, 2005 hotel-bombing which killed 56 people in Amman, Jordan, and the list goes on…

In addition to its somewhat isolated island-geography, the reasons why Japan has not experienced the trouble of international terrorism are luck and steady anti-terrorism efforts on the part of government authorities. In speaking with people from many countries, and apart from the concerns of Americans, however, I think most Japanese people are comparatively insensitive to the threat of international terrorism.

For the Japanese people, global terrorism is not just someone else’s affair. The terrorists seem to be getting more and more aggressive all around the world. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese who work overseas is increasing remarkably. Approximately 16.83 million Japanese left Japan in 2004, and approximately 0.96 million registered Japanese live overseas. There’s no telling where, when, and what kind of terrorism will happen in future. No one can rule out the possibility of whether Japan has already been, or will be, a target of global terrorism.

 

The Reasons Why Global Terrorism Has Become a Threat to National Security

The first reason is the development of globalization. Globalized information -- the dissemination and globalization's corresponding movement of humans, services and goods, have both allowed terrorists to build networks and conduct international terrorism on a large scale. The second reason relates to the Cold War's end, whereby a proliferation of weapons of mass-destruction ensued. Hence, it has become easier for international terrorist organizations to both procure these weapons and gain the ability to kill or wound people on an equally-massive scale as war.

The biggest threat to national security used to be wars amongst nations, which are essentially now units of an international community. Since World War II, peace among nations has been maintained by global harmony and deterrence. Now, however, terrorists without territories and nations to protect have risen as independent actors with both the power and intent to seriously threaten international security. In addition to nation-versus-nation conflict, “asymmetrical” conflict, between nation(s) and global-terrorists, has become a new and important issue, challenging not only national security but also the stability and order of the international community itself.

 

Characteristics of Global Terrorism in the 21st Century

Firstly, global terrorists of late do not hesitate to randomly attack common citizens in one-sided, indiscriminate, merciless, and relentless ways. The use-of-force between nations is strictly regulated by the Charter of the United Nations, and even if a battle would actually occur, established international law, as a rule, imposes various restrictions so as not to involve the general citizenry. From the outset, however, terrorists reject both international law and/or any other rule.

Secondly, global terrorism, through globalization and its attendant, highly-developed mass-media outlets, can effectively threaten citizens, criticize governments, and insist on political demands. “Without revealing and thus drawing unnecessary attention to themselves, they give information which is advantageous to them and try to manipulate both mass-communication and public opinion.” In other words, “Using the mass-media to sway public opinion while being cloaked in anonymity” is today's biggest advantage for the terrorists. Terrorists are particularly well-versed in spreading fear amongst the citizenry with threats of violence, while pushing the responsibility for this fear-creation on others, e.g. governments, and not onto themselves. Citizens are more likely to blame “visible” government authorities, who cannot crack down on terrorists, rather than “invisible” terrorists, though they are the true assailants. Terrorists try both to confuse the international community and divide public-opinion by making use of unanticipated violence, threats, and one-sided messages.

Thirdly, we cannot rule-out the future possibility of terrorists procuring and using weapons of mass-destruction. If it becomes possible for terrorists to attack using nuclear, chemical, and/or biochemical weapons, then such an occurrence could claim as many as ten-thousand, if not a hundred-thousand victims.

Fourthly, there exist nations that assist and support global-terrorist organizations. These terrorism-assisting nations, while on one hand demanding national privileges, such as territorial sovereignty or national supremacy, on the other hand assist terrorist organizations and inflict similar damage through wars with other countries. They neither define those actions as either crimes or war, nor do they arrest terrorists.

 

Why We Should Fight Against Global Terrorism

Global terrorism is a challenge to human society's existence. In short, for the sake of the peaceful prosperity of human society regardless of races and religion, it is necessary to respect, through law, the most basic of human rights, life and the physical freedoms of human-beings by solving problems peacefully, though opinions and thoughts may differ. Terrorists, however, do not hesitate to kill or wound innocent citizens for their purposes. They hide their identities and won’t fulfill any rules of international laws. We cannot coexist with such global terrorists.

As long as the methods of terrorists' inclinations are anonymity and invisibility, it is almost impossible to cope with terror through dialogue. As between nations, no deterrent is possible, no diplomatic approach is possible, and it’s also hard to impose restrictions. Therefore, we cannot help but cope with terror through the use of force.

If one nation compromises, its lack of resolve will spread to other countries in a ripple-effect seen as “submitting to terrorism.” Specifically, if global terrorism organizations are able to obtain and use weapons of mass destruction, the international community will incur disasters from which it will be difficult to recover.

 

If We Try to Fight against Global Terrorism, Will We Be Targeted?

To fight against terror or not fight against terror; the latter option is far more dangerous. And if this is so, for both the peace and stability of international community, fighting against terror carries a more positive and meaningful value.

I often hear the insistence, “Fighting against terror brings more terror, and I'm against this cycle of violence and hatred.” Actually, this is the very doctrine which terrorists themselves are spreading around the world. If we accept an opponent who neglects laws and attempts to manipulate people's minds through violence and fear, will violence and fear disappear? Even without a review of world history, common sense and daily-life experience tell us this notion is clearly untenable. If we come to truces in the battle against terrorists, who neither reveal their identities nor agree to negotiate, that would be tantamount to “subordinating and surrendering to their violence and threats.”

Terrorism is frightening, but that is precisely what these weak terrorists want individuals and nations to think: “If we try to fight against global terrorism, we will be targeted.” Persons or groups who try to rule and manipulate people by violence and fear have often used such techniques. However, if we accept these terms, individuals, families, their descendants, society, and nations will become slaves of violence.

In short, it can be said that the fight against terrorism is not only to eradicate global terrorism but also to reconfirm civilized society's sense of value in the world. That is to say, the battle is to protect with pride the necessary discipline for fundamental peace: “If you commit a crime, you’ll be punished.”

Some say, “At the root of terrorism lies poverty, racial conflict, religion, and politics.” There is some truth in such a claim. However, huge amounts of time and energy are needed to solve the problems of world poverty, racial and/or or religious conflict. The claims that, “Terrorism isn't evil. Poverty is evil.” could be regarded as fraudulent logic.

 

How Should We Fight?

To begin with, because the fight against terror should be done with force, military tactics must comply with international and domestic laws. Second, since global terrorism occurs in the unrestrained ‘ocean-of-globalization,’ building a framework of international cooperation is very important. Third, above and beyond what the military can do, comprehensive and overall actions, including economic sanctions, e.g. the freezing of funds and aid, etc.; immigration control, i.e. supervision and control of human movement, and arrangements for international policing are needed. Fourth, since terrorists are adept at manipulating public opinion to criticize statesmen, the governments’ clear and honest explanations to their nations and concerted public opinion are very important. Additionally, it is also important for each government to cooperate with each other, commence work on bolstering an international consensus, and send a concerted, common message to people since domestic public opinion today resonates easily with global public opinion.

 

Is Global-Society Divided?

Since 9/11, apart from military operations, global-society continues the “fight against terrorism” in many fields: countermeasures against the funding for terror, aircraft security, immigration control, and Customs control. Forty-five countries, including France and Germany, contribute to the US-led Allied Forces’ “Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)” in the form dispatched military units and officers. About twenty out of these forty-five nations send units or officers to Afghanistan, and seven, including Japan, engage in marine detention activities. Each nation is wisely and solidly waging a war against global terrorism without being trapped by terrorists who try to divide international society and opinion.

 

Why is Afghanistan Important?

Afghanistan used to be a core stronghold of global terrorism, and stabilizing the nation is a meaningful pursuit in the “War on Terror.” Though progress can be seen in terms of a maturing political process and social economics, its peace-and-order remains insecure, especially in the southeast region where the situation is difficult and unstable along its borders with Pakistan. Afghani income related to drugs is thought to account for as much as 60% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). There are many problems to solve, including the dismantling of illegal military groups and enforcing rule-under-law for which the stabilization of the nation depends. Changing a nation that used to be a hotbed of terrorism into a peaceful, law-abiding nation requires long-running and patient efforts.

As a part of OEF, the international community also engages in terror sweeping operations in both Afghanistan and facilitates marine detention activities in the Indian Ocean.

The G-8 countries, at their July, 2005 meeting, reached an agreement whereby they would continue supporting Afghanistan, and a statement was adopted which mentions the necessity of the international community's continuous support through both the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the OEF, which will take in charge of security in the capital city, Kabul, and its environs.

 

The Necessity of the MSDF

For responsible, advanced-nation members, human contributions can win the trust of the international community. The war against terrorism and reconstruction of Afghanistan require comprehensive actions, and Japan is helping to enhance the terror-handling ability of these developing countries while strengthening the framework of international laws. In Afghanistan, Japan supports the peace process, improvement of order, and reconstruction under the framework of the “Establishment of Peace.” If Japan offers only money but does not offer any human contribution while the international community continues its “War on Terror,” Japan can neither win the trust and understanding of the international community, nor can one argue that Japan is shouldering responsibility even for its own security. Every nation of the G-8 forum, save for Russia and Japan, joins more than one activity amongst terrorist-sweeping operations, marine detention activities, peacekeeping operations, and reconstruction activities in regional cities. Japan sends units only for participation in marine detention activities. Continuous operation of the SDF is important so that Japan can play a “visible” role in the fight against terror on the water. Oil-refueling by MSDF supply ships has reduced the calling-times of each nation and enabled extended marine activities. A quarter of the ships engaged in marine detention activities are Japanese vessels. If the MSDF withdrew this support, the possible operational time of each nation would be significantly shortened.

Conditions for the actual missions in the Indian Ocean are extremely severe. To refuel on water, MSDF forces need to both connect, side-to-side, a 30-50 meter length of refueling hose to a ship cruising at the same speed and then refuel the ship while keeping the same distance and speed for up to six hours. Not every supply ship can do it. Members of the SDF are required to have high navigational skills and patience. The air temperature can reach 40 degrees; the deck-temperature sometimes reaching about 70 degrees. In such a severe environment, Japan’s SDF perseveres with its missions. It would be ridiculous to suggest that there is anything like a “Free Gas Station” out in these conditions.

 

The Status Quo of Marine Detention Activities

Since September 2001, through its marine detention activities to prevent the transport of terrorists and/or weapons, the Multinational Forces have conducted about 137,000 wireless inquiries and about 11,000 on-board inspections. As far as the information that has been released to date, what follows is a list of acquisitions as a result of on-board inspections:

(1) May, 2004, on-board inspections found and confiscated about 550 guns and ammunition on a ship (dhow).

(2) March, 2005, on-board inspections confiscated about 6000 pounds (approximately 3-tons) of drugs aboard a ship.

(3) May, 2005, on-board inspections found and confiscated about 4200 pounds of drugs (hashish) from a ship (dhow).

Apart from these examples, in February, 2004, the marine detention activity MSDF also received information from a patrol, conducted an on-board inspection aboard a dhow, and found rifles and mobile anti-tank rocket weaponry. Coupled with these marine detention activities, many Al-Qaida members or leaders were killed or restrained through “Operation Enduring Freedom” and other measures in the "War on Terror,” but for security reasons, both to protect the multinational force's operational efficacy and its members' safety, many public announcements were not made.

With regards to the MSDF's refueling activities during marine detention maneuvers, President Karzai of Afghanistan said, “I appreciate Japan's efforts over the last 3 years.” Moreover, many nations which are highly interested in fight against terror, including America, Britain, German, France, Italy, Pakistan, New Zealand, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Philippines, and India, put a high value on this marine-detention activity.

 

Until When Will the Fight Continue?

The fight against terror continues. Led by the US and marine detention activities of the MSDF, the “War on Terror” has resulted in the deaths and/or restrictions of many Al-Qaida members and their leaders by “OEF.” However, Al-Qaida-related personnel have dispersed to different places and local terrorist groups, in response to directives of Al-Qaida executives, now conduct their operations independently. The International community is continuously taking actions to eradicate such threats. In November 2005, Japan also extended the term of the ‘Antiterrorism Measures Special Law’ for one year, and the personnel-dispatch term was also extended for another year in order to prepare accordingly for possible responses to terrorism threats to our own nation.

 

The Greater “War on Terror”

Whether we like it or not, “War” is a tiring pursuit. Our daily lives as well are like a series of skirmishes against life-situations that do not go as we want them to. Under such circumstances, and continually hearing of the “War on Terror,” many citizens may very well feel “sick and tired.” Yet the war against global terror (it should not be happening of course) is a very urgent issue to sustain a peaceful existence in this world. The possibility can be only be higher, not lower, that the Japanese will either be the victims of terrorism or that Japan itself will be targeted by terrorists. Deterrence against such attacks is a straightforward task that requires patience, but a national consensus is also necessary to support this patient struggle against terror.

As the international community remains undivided in its struggle against terrorism, Japan’s possible separation from the struggle would signify not only defeat in the battle against terrorism but also a betrayal of the international community's resolve. The "Antiterrorism Measures Special Law" is set to expire at the end of October of this year, but it is important for Japan to continue its substantial and visible contribution to the anti-terrorism campaign.

From a more long-range perspective, throughout this battle against global terror, even more efforts are needed to reform the “breeding-grounds” that produce terrorists and seed their ideology. The fundamental motive of terrorists is “anger.” Terrorists can destroy but cannot produce anything. Because human anger and a destructive mindset can quickly become paralyzed, and are exhausting to maintain, the emotional energy to foment “anger” and “destruction” can be shared temporarily but hard to sustain over a long period of time. Nevertheless, global terrorism does not seem to be waning due to (1) external factors stimulating the emotions of “anger” and “destruction” in terrorists or those who support terrorism; (2) immature governments and societies that exist in a bubble and naively substitute, in place of this "anger" and "destruction," what they consider to be sufficient measures for an imaginatively peaceful international community. If so, for us in the foreseeable future, it will (1) take much patience and perseverance to unravel this muddied context, and (2) become our important mission to, though not in a pushy way, eradicate, as a long-term solution, the threat of global terrorism.