Despite Middle East Ceasefire, Threat of Terror Attacks Remains

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On June 22, the National Police Agency instructed prefectural police departments to strengthen security at American-related facilities in Japan. Although Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, the Japanese police cannot yet afford to relax their enhanced security measures.

The enhanced security measures apply to the United States Embassy and US military bases. They also encompass Israeli and other Jewish facilities, as well as Islamic facilities. Among these are the Embassy of Israel in Tokyo and the Permanent General Mis s ion of Palestine to Japan. Efforts will also be intensified to gather intelligence regarding any potential plotting of attacks. These directives were issued following the US military's aerial attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities.

While the ceasefire agreement is welcome, its future remains uncertain. Furthermore, there is still concern about possible terrorist acts carried out within Japan by radical extremist groups or individual perpetrators who are opposed to the ceasefire. Widespread recognition that this risk has not disappeared is important to the nation's security.

*An oil facility in Tehran, Iran, bursts into flames after an Israeli attack on June 15. (©Reuters)*

Saudi Arabian Airlines Incident of 1988

If Japan lets its guard down, it could be seen as a "weak link" in international anti-terrorism efforts. If that happens, the nation itself might become a target for terrorists.

There is an unfortunate precedent in this regard. On March 21, 1988, time bombs exploded in a parking lot near the Israeli embassy and in front of the Saudi Arabian Airlines office in Tokyo. Even now, the identities of the perpetrators and details of the explosives are still unknown.

Around the same time, bombings targeting Saudi-related facilities also occurred in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Germany. These are believed to have constituted a series of international terrorist attacks coordinated among undercover terrorists from various countries following a set of instructions.

From late 1987, the previous year, the Intifada resistance movement in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip had become increasingly radicalized. Then, a ceasefire was reached in the eight-year Iran-Iraq War in August of 1988. Saudi Arabia had also strengthened its pro-United States stance.

The Middle East was in a state of upheaval that bears striking similarities to the current situation.

*Commissioner General Yoshinobu Kusunoki of the National Police Agency. (©Sankei by Misaki Owatari)*

Staying Watchful

The existence of groups of infiltrated agents of foreign powers, commonly known as "sleeper cells," has been confirmed in various countries. However, we must also be vigilant against lone-offender-type crimes lacking any organized background. Additionally, in this age of high mobility, there must be a watchful eye for travelers determined to commit terrorist acts. It is also necessary to grasp trends surrounding domestic organizations that might lend them support.

Visible security could also be an effective preventive measure. This would include armored vehicles, riot police, and uniformed police officers deployed at the gates of major related facilities.

The key to responding to the threat posed by terrorism is to prevent terrorism from occurring in the first place. Police must be constantly vigilant to prevent chaos from arising in Japan.