JAPAN: GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR--PURSUIT OF TERRORIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 007002 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS FRED VOGEL IN S/CT AND ALCY FELICK IN CA. E.O. 12958: DECL: END OF US-JAPAN ALLIANCE TAGS: KTFN KHLS PROG PGOV KS TH TW JA SUBJECT: JAPAN: GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR--PURSUIT OF TERRORIST INFORMATION EXCHANGE REF: STATE 190832 Classified By: Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C//NF) Summary: Japan uses at least five immigration and watchlist databases to track terrorist and terrorist entities. Two lists are based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions and one is based on Japan's Foreign Exchange Law. These three lists are available to the public and are updated on an as-needed basis. Embassy Tokyo is aware of at least two additional immigration and watchlist databases that are compartmentalized within specific Japanese government agencies. Despite some barriers to watchlist data sharing, Japan is stepping up counterterrorism measures by implementing biometric technology and increasing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Increasing efforts to reach an agreement on United States-Japan watchlist data sharing would strengthen already robust counterterrorism cooperation. End Summary. Immigration Databases and Watchlists -------------- ¶2. (C//NF) Japanese immigration officials use the Ministry of Justice "Foreigners Entry and Departure Information System" (FEIS) to screen travelers at points of entry and exit across Japan. MOFA officials on December 7, 2006 said the system is, in principle, available at all points of entry but we are unable to confirm if this includes sea ports in addition to all airports across Japan. Immigration officials use an additional classified national terrorist watchlist, known as the "Black List" which contains close to one million records, according to the Embassy Tokyo Department of Homeland Security ICE Attache. Most of the individuals included in this database have previously violated Japan's immigration laws and are barred from entering Japan. Both databases are updated in real time on an as needed basis. ¶3. (C//NF) The National Police Agency (NPA) maintains an additional list using information from Interpol and additional undisclosed sources. The NPA list includes "wanted" international criminals but NPA does not arrest individuals based solely on Interpol information, according to the Embassy Tokyo DHS ICE Attache. Japanese immigration officials do not have access to Interpol information unless NPA passes it to them. NPA and Ministry of Justice immigration databases are not linked. ¶4. (C//NF) Japan uses at least three lists to track terrorist and terrorist entities. Two lists are based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). These two lists are shared across the Japanese government, are available to the public, and are updated on an as-needed basis. The first list is based on UNSCR 1267, 1333, and ¶1390. It contains the names of Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists and terrorist entities. As of November 21, 2006 the list contained the names of 509 individuals and entities. The complete list includes names in Japanese and English and can be accessed online at www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/terro/pdfs/list 1267-- 1333-1390.pdf. The second list contains the names of 28 additional individuals and terrorist entities designated by the Japanese government based on UNSCR 1373. This list was last updated on December 2, 2005. This list is available online at www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/terro/pdfs/list 1373.pdf. The Ministry of Finance maintains an additional third list containing the names of terrorist individuals and entities whose financial assets were frozen based on Japan's Foreign Exchange Law. More information on the Ministry of Finance list, including a link to the list, is available in Japanese at www.mof.go.jp/jouhou/kokkin/kawase.html. Information Sharing -------------- ¶5. (C//NF) Stove-piping within the Japanese government and Japan's reluctance to share national terrorist list information continues to hinder Embassy Tokyo's ability to collect information on Japan's national watchlists. For example, working-level officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were unaware the Ministry of Finance maintained a separate list containing the names of terrorist and terrorist entities whose financial assets were frozen under Japan's Foreign Exchange Law. Japan, in July 2005, revised the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act to enable TOKYO 00007002 002 OF 002 immigration officials to directly share information with their foreign counterparts, but remains reluctant to share national terrorist list information. Some Japanese immigration officials are reluctant to share information with Embassy officials, including consular officers, because they are not direct immigration counterparts. Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation -------------- ¶6. (C//NF) Japan's hesitancy to disclose national terrorist information to foreign allies and third country nationals hinders bilateral and multilateral cooperation. In previous discussions on the possibility of sharing watchlist information with the United States, Japanese immigration officials insisted Japanese terrorist information not be released to third countries, according to the Embassy Tokyo DHS ICE Attache. ¶7. (C//NF) Despite information sharing obstacles, Japan is cautiously stepping up counterterrorism cooperation and in January 2007 will implement the United States Department of Homeland Security Immigration Advisory Program (IAP), according to MOFA officials. Four U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials with immigration expertise will be stationed at Narita Airport to assist airlines in making admissibility determinations, assessing passenger intent, and ensuring passengers have the necessary documents to enter the United States. They will alert Japanese immigration and NPA authorities when a passenger will likely be denied entry into the United States. In addition, Japan has limited bilateral agreements with Thailand, Taiwan and Korea. Japanese immigration officials are stationed at airports in Seoul, Taipei, and Bangkok in a capacity similar to IAP, according to the Embassy Tokyo DHS ICE Attache. ¶8. (C//NF) Japan participates in the Container Security Initiative, International Port Security Program, and works closely with United States on air marshal programs. In addition, Japan in 2006 agreed to purchase equipment to upgrade alpha and neutron radiation detection equipment to step up efforts in screening shipping containers bound for the United States. (Note: In fall 2005, the Japanese Embassy in Washington engaged DHS on possible participation in the Secure Freight Initiative and Japan could be an important future partner should it agree to first participate in the Megaports initiative). Biometrics -------------- ¶9. (C//NF) Japan began issuing machine readable electronic passports (e-passports) containing a digital facial image in March 2006. Japan has the legal authority to collect biometric information including fingerprints and facial images. MOFA officials said in December 2006 that Japan will begin collecting biometric information on foreigners in November 2007 and will install biometric systems at all points of entry. (Note: Diplomats and individuals with SOFA status will be exempt). This system will include full ten-fingerprint identification and will be ICAO compliant. Future Steps -------------- ¶10. (C//NF) Increasing efforts to reach an agreement on data sharing and megaports would strengthen already robust counterterrorism cooperation. Japan's watchlist data does not include political dissidents and Embassy Tokyo is not aware of any evidence indicating Japan would use or share U.S. watchlist data in an inappropriate manner. SCHIEFFER