Basic Plan regarding Response Measures Based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)

Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Basic Plan regarding Response Measures Based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law

[Place]

[Date] November 16, 2001

[Source] Prime Minister of Japan and Cabinet

[Notes] Provisional Translation

[Full text]

1. Basic Policy

The attacks by the terrorists which occurred on September 11, 2001 in the United States (hereinafter referred to as "the terrorist attacks") are extremely vicious and unforgivable acts of violence not only to the United States but also to all humankind. In response to this, all nations in the world are now overcoming their differences to condemn the inhuman acts of terrorism and are joining their hands to tackle the issue together.

It is important also for Japan to recognize the fight against international terrorism as a challenge to itself, and to extend as much support and cooperation as possible within the scope of the Constitution, based upon the standpoint that Japan should contribute to the efforts to prevent and eradicate international terrorism actively and on its own initiative.

For the above purpose, cooperation and support activities, search and rescue activities and assistance to affected people will be conducted, in accordance with the Special Measures Law Concerning Measures Taken by Japan in Support of the Activities of Foreign Countries Aiming to Achieve the Purposes of the Charter of the United Nations in Response to the Terrorist Attacks Which Took Place on 11 September 2001 in the United States of America as well as Concerning Humanitarian Measures Based on Relevant Resolutions of the United Nations (Law No. 113, 2001, hereinafter referred to as "The Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law").

2. Details regarding Implementation of Cooperation and Support Activities

(1) Basic points regarding implementation of cooperation and support activities

In response to the terrorist attacks, the United States and other countries began military operation against the Taliban and others on 8 October 2001. Under the circumstances, Japan will conduct the following cooperation and support activities in support of the activities of the armed forces of the United States and other countries which aim to eradicate the threat of the terrorist attacks, thereby contributing to the achievement of the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.

(2) Categories and contents of cooperation and support activities

The following are the categories and contents of the cooperation and support activities, which will be implemented in the form of provision of goods belonging to the Self-Defense Forces and provision of services by the Self-Defense Forces to the armed forces of the United States and other countries.

(a) Supply

Supply of fuel for ships and others which will be conducted by ships

(b) Transportation

(i) Transportation of fuel for ships and others which will be conducted by ships

(ii) Transportation of personnel and goods which will be conducted by aircraft

(i) Repair and Maintenance

Repair and maintenance, provision of repair and maintenance equipment as well as parts and components, and provision of similar goods and services

(ii) Medical activities

Provision of medical services for the sick and wounded, sanitary equipment as well as provision of similar goods and services

(iii) Sea port services

Support for ships in entering and leaving ports in Japan, in loading and unloading, as well as provision of similar goods and services

(3) Details regarding the range of areas in which cooperation and support activities will be conducted as well as the determination of such areas

(a) The areas in which supply and transportation activities as stipulated in (a) and (b) of (2) are conducted area as follows:

(i) The territory of Japan

(ii) For the supply and transportation conducted by ships, the Indian Ocean (including the Gulf. "The Indian Ocean" hereafter means the same.), the airspace over the Indian Ocean, as well as the following areas(excluding the areas which belong to the Indian Ocean and the airspace above.)

(A) Diego Garcia Island of the United Kingdom, its adjacent territorial waters, and the airspace above

(B) The territory of Australia

(C) The territories of countries located on the coast of the Indian Ocean as well as the territories of countries along the routes from the territory of Japan to the coast of the Indian Ocean which contain points of passage or points where fuel and others will be loaded and/or unloaded.

(iii) For the transportation by aircraft, Guam Island of the United States, the airspace above, and the airspace above the territorial waters of the United States adjacent to Guam Island; Diego Garcia Island of the United Kingdom, the airspace above, and the airspace above the territorial waters of the United Kingdom adjacent to Diego Garcia Island; as well as territories of countries located on the coast of the Indian Ocean as well as the territories of countries along the routes from the territory of Japan to the coast of Indian Ocean, which contain points of passage or points where personnel or goods will be loaded and/or unloaded.

(iv) The sea areas or airspace in which the ships or aircraft will pass when navigating between two points belonging to the areas stipulated in (i), (ii) and (iii) (excluding the areas which belong to the areas stipulated in (i), (ii) and (iii))

(b) Repair and maintenance activities stipulated in (2)(c)(i) will be conducted within the areas stipulated in(a)(i) and (a)(ii), the sea areas where ships will pass when navigating between two points which belong to such areas (excluding the areas which belong to the areas stipulated in (a)(i) and (a)(ii)), as well as territories of the foreign countries stipulated in (a) (iii).

(c) Medical activities as stipulated in 2(c)(iii) will be conducted within the areas stipulated in (a)(i) and (a)(ii), as well as the sea areas where ships will pass when navigating between two points which belong to such areas (excluding areas which belong to the areas stipulated in (a)(i) and (a)(ii)).

(d) Sea port services as stipulated in (2) (c)(iii) will be conducted within the areas stipulated in (a)(i).

(e) The Director-General of the Defence Agency, when designating high seas, the airspace above high seas and the territories of foreign countries as areas in which the cooperation and support activities will be conducted, shall give full consideration to such elements as overall situation regarding the activities of foreign countries as well as security conditions in the areas where the activities will be conducted so that the activities be conducted, in areas where combat is not taking place, nor expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are conducted, and that security be ensured while the activities are conducted.

(4) Size, composition and, equipment of Self-Defense Forces which conduct cooperation and support activities in the territories of foreign countries as well as the duration of the dispatch

(a) Size and composition

(i) Maritime Self-Defense Forces units to carry out supply and transportation stipulated in (2)(a) and (2)(b)(i) by supply support ships and escort ships(up to 1,200 persons. When change of units occurs, up to 2,400 persons)

(ii) Air Self-Defense Forces units to carry out transportation stipulated in (2)(b)(ii) by transport aircraft and multi-purpose support aircraft.(up to 180 persons)

(iii) The units which carry out repair and maintenance shall be units stipulated in (i) and (ii) above, and the units which carry out medical activities stipulated in (2)(c)(ii) shall be units stipulated in (i).

(b) Equipment

(i) Ships

Up to two supply support ships and up to three escort ships(When a change of units occurs, up to four supply support ships and up to six escort ships)

(ii) Aircraft

Up to six transport aircraft and up to two multi-purpose support aircraft

(iii) Other Equipment

[1] Sufficient number of pistols for the personnel of Air Self-Defense Force who carry out transportation stipulated in (2)(b)(ii)

[2] Equipment necessary to ensure the security of Self-Defense Forces personnel and for activities stipulated from (2)(a) to (c)(ii) (excluding those stipulated from (i) to (iii) [1] above).

From 20 November 2001 to 19 May 2002

(5) Important points regarding procurement and provision of goods to the forces of foreign countries and others which do not constitute goods that are or were used by relevant government agencies for their works and services

In order to supply fuel for ships by ships as a cooperation and support activity by the Self-Defense Forces, the Government shall procure such fuel and provide it to the forces and others of the United States and other countries.

(6) Other important points regarding the implementation of the cooperation and support activities

(a) Relevant government agencies shall closely communicate with one another regarding information on the overall situation of the activities conducted by foreign countries and the local security situation in and around the areas in which the Self-Defense Forces carry out the cooperation and support activities which is obtained through the implementation of their responsibilities, as well as other information necessary to carry out cooperation and support activities.

(b) The head of relevant government agencies shall cooperate, to the extent that such cooperation does not hinder their responsibilities when they are requested by the Director-General of the Defence Agency for such cooperation as the dispatch of personnel who possess necessary skills and abilities for the Self-Defense Forces to conduct cooperation and support activities, as well as transferring the management of goods among such agencies.

(c) Heads of overseas missions designated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall extend cooperation necessary to implement the cooperation and support activities on the instructions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

3. Details regarding implementation of search and rescue activities

(1) Basic points regarding search and rescue activities, scope of areas in which search and rescue activities will be conducted, and designation of such areas; size, composition and equipment of Self-Defense Forces which conduct search and rescue activities in the territories of foreign countries as well as the duration of the dispatch

(a)Japan, when the Self-Defense Forces conduct the cooperation and support activities stipulated in 2 or the assistance to the affected people stipulated in 4 have found combatants in distress, or have received a request from the United States or others for the search and rescue of such persons in distress, shall conduct search and rescue activities. The areas for the implementation of the search and rescue activities shall cover the areas in which the cooperation and support activities stipulated in 2 will be conducted as well as the areas in which assistance to the affected people stipulated in 4 will be conducted, which belong to the Indian Ocean and the airspace above. When there are persons in distress other than combatants, the search and rescue activities shall similarly be conducted.

(b)The Director-General of the Defence Agency when designating as the areas in which the search and rescue activities are conducted high seas, and the airspace above high seas, and the territories of foreign countries, shall give full consideration to such elements as the overall situation regarding the activities of foreign countries as well as the security conditions in the areas where the activities will be conducted, so that the activities be conducted in areas where combat is not taking place, nor are expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are conducted and that the security be ensured while the activities are conducted.

(2) Important points regarding the cooperation and support activities stipulated in the latter part of the section 3, in the Article 3 of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law which accompany the implementation of the search and rescue activities

In implementing the search and rescue activities, the categories and contents of the provided goods belonging to the Self-Defense Forces and the provided services by the Self-Defense Forces as part of the cooperation and support activities for the forces of the United States and other countries conducting activities which shall be those stipulated in Annex 2 of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law.

(3) Other important points regarding the implementation of the search and rescue activities

(a)Relevant government agencies shall closely communicate with one another regarding information necessary to conduct the search and rescue activities which is obtained through the implementation of their responsibilities, in and around the areas in which the Self-Defense Forces carry out the search and rescue activities.

(b)Heads of overseas missions designated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall extend cooperation necessary to implement the search and rescue activities on the instructions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

4. Details regarding implementation of assistance to the affected people

(1) Basic points regarding assistance to the affected people

In refugee camps in the territory of Pakistan, serious situations have arisen due to such reasons as the lack of daily necessities. In order to cope with such situations, the Office for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter referred to as the "UNHCR") and other institutions for humanitarian assistance have been carrying out assistance activities. In view of these situations, Japan will extend the following assistance to the affected people.

As for measures in Pakistan to assist the affected people such as medical assistance, after the consultation and coordination with Pakistan, the United Nations and others, specific research and studies should be conducted as soon as possible with a view to making effort to realize implementation by relevant government agencies.

As for measures to assist the affected people in countries surrounding Afghanistan other than Pakistan, actions will be taken on the basis of close observation of the subsequent development of the situations.

(2) Categories and contents of assistance to the affected people

Provision of daily necessities to the UNHCR, based on the request from the UNHCR (including the transportation of such goods by Self-Defense Forces ships)

(3) Details regarding the scope of areas in which assistance to the affected people will be conducted and the designation of such areas

(a) The scope of areas in which the assistance to the affected people will be conducted shall be as follows.

(i) The territory of Japan

(ii) The territory of Pakistan

(iii) The territories of countries located on the coast of the Indian Ocean as well as the territories of countries along the routes from the territory of Japan to the coast of the Indian Ocean which contain points of passage.

(iv) The sea areas in which the ships pass when navigating between two points belonging to the areas stipulated in (i) ,(ii) and (iii) above, and the airspace above (excluding the areas which belong to the areas stipulated in (i), (ii) and (iii) above.)

(b) The Director-General of the Defence Agency, when designating high seas, the airspace above high seas, and territories of foreign countries as areas in which assistance to the affected people will be conducted, shall give full consideration to such elements as the overall situation regarding the activities of foreign countries as well as security conditions in the areas where the activities will be conducted, so that the activities be conducted, in areas where combat is not taking place nor expected to take place throughout the period during which the activities are conducted, and that the security be ensured while the activities are conducted.

(4) Size, composition and equipment of Self-Defense Forces which conducts the assistance to the affected people in the territories of foreign countries as well as the duration of the dispatch

(a) Size and Composition

The units of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (up to 120 persons excluding the personnel for the escort ships which conduct cooperation and support activities) for carrying out transportation stipulated in (2) above by a minesweeper tender and an escort ship, (One of the escort ships which will carry out the cooperation and support activities shall be used.)

(b) Equipment

One minesweeper tender and one escort ship (One of the escort ships which will carry out the cooperation and support activities shall be used.)

From 20 November 2001 to 31 December 2001.

(5) Other important points regarding implementation of the assistance to the affected people

(a) Relevant government agencies shall closely communicate with one another regarding information on the overall situation of the activities conducted by foreign countries and the local security situation in and around the areas in which the Self Defense Forces carry out the assistance to the affected peoples which is obtained through the implementation of their responsibilities as well as other information necessary to carry out assistance activities to the affected people.

(b) The head of relevant government agencies shall cooperate, to the extent that such cooperation does not hinder their responsibilities when they are requested by the Director-General of the Defence Agency for such cooperation as the dispatch of personnel who possess necessary skills and abilities for the Self-Defense Forces to provide assistance to the affected people, as well as transferring the management of goods among such agencies.

(c) Heads of overseas missions designated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall extend cooperation necessary to implement the assistance to the affected people on the instructions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

5. Details regarding communication and coordination among relevant government agencies for implementation of response measures

In order to advance response measures under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law in a comprehensive and effective manner, close communication and coordination shall be ensured among relevant government agencies with the Cabinet Secretariat at the core.