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

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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