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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 TOKYO 001919 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/J 
STATE PASS TO USTR MICHAEL BEEMAN 
DHS FOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS/CRESENCIO ARCOS 
DHS For office of THE secretary/ADAM ISLES 
doe for nnsa 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KHLS PTER ETRD EAIR EWWT JP
SUBJECT: HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY CHERTOFF MEETS WITH 
SENIOR JAPANESE LEADERSHIP 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  Homeland Security Secretary Michael 
Chertoff visited Tokyo March 26-28 (as part of a wider trip 
to Asia) for meetings with Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe, 
Foreign Affairs Minister Aso, Justice Minister Sugiura, 
Finance Minister Tanigaki, Public Safety and Security 
Minister Kutsukake, and Land Infrastructure and 
Transportation Minister Kitagawa.  The purpose of the 
Secretary's visit was to raise the level of concern over 
 
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terrorism with senior Japanese leadership and to seek 
support for a stronger, more robust cargo inspection system 
that would include installation of radiation detection 
systems in Japan at Container Security Initiative and 
Megaports locations.  Secretary Chertoff stressed the need 
to be very closely aligned with Japan to ensure that the 
steps taken are appropriately balanced to promote a secure 
travel and trade environment, but not at the expense of the 
ability to travel and conduct international commerce.  The 
Secretary raised the visibility of the Department of 
 
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Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS' hefty portfolio of border 
control, transportation and maritime security, law 
enforcement, and disaster management.  Secretary Chertoff 
urged building on current successes with Japan such as the 
Container Security Initiative, air marshal missions, the 
port security program, and the Customs-Trade Partnership 
Against Terrorism to make progress on Megaports and the 
Immigration Advisory Program.  Secretary Chertoff also met 
with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan 
and with the Safety and Security Commission, an advisory 
panel to the Japanese government on homeland security and 
critical infrastructure protection issues. 
 
Meeting with Finance Minister Tanigaki 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff began his meeting with Finance 
Minister Tanigaki by stressing the historically strong and 
cooperative working relationship the Department of Homeland 
Security has with MOF's Customs and Tariff Bureau.  The 
Secretary specifically noted MOF's meaningful cooperation 
 
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and leadership on the Container Security Initiative (CSI) 
since initiation of CSI two years ago and pointed out that 
nearly 900,000 shipments have moved without incident between 
Japan and the U.S. under the CSI program.  Minister Tanigaki 
referred to the presence of Japanese Customs officials in 
the U.S. under the reciprocal terms of the CSI program and 
expressed his belief that the deterrent effect of CSI is 
working properly and he wants to continue that cooperation. 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff stated his desire to pursue 
the Megaports Initiative with Japan as a complement to the 
CSI program and requested MOF's cooperation to implement 
Megaports in Japan.  The Secretary stated Megaports was 
operational in Rotterdam, Greece, and other locations and 
explained how Megaports would help in the fight against the 
spread of radiological material that could be used to 
fashion weapons.   In response, Minister Tanigaki agreed on 
the need to step up anti-terrorism measures in Japan. 
Referring to his past experience as Chairman of Japan's 
Atomic Energy Commission, the Minister stated he understood 
the importance of non-proliferation.  Minister Tanigaki 
stated MOF is currently consulting with not only the USG but 
with several Japanese government agencies on whether to 
implement the Megaports Initiative and that he hoped for 
good progress. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Minister Tanigaki expressed Japan Customs and 
Tariff Bureau's desire for more anti-terrorism experience 
 
TOKYO 00001919  002 OF 008 
 
 
and requested initiation of a personnel exchange program 
under which Japan Customs officers would be assigned to 
Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center 
for tours of duty to learn terrorist targeting techniques. 
Secretary Chertoff responded that he would be delighted to 
 
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host the Japan Customs officers and indicated that having 
shared values would assist both Customs administrations in 
regional capacity building efforts. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff described the huge challenge 
of merging 22 separate agencies into the Department of 
Homeland Security, and that every year the U.S. is 
increasing its security as a result of those changes.  The 
Secretary reiterated that it was not his desire to interfere 
 
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with trade and that with more intelligent and technological 
approaches, trade could be secured without strangling it. 
The Secretary concluded the meeting by expressing that he 
regarded Japan as a wonderful ally, and that a collaborative 
approach to anti-terrorism will help both countries build a 
secure and free trading system.  Minister Tanigaki agreed 
and expressed his desire to continue MOF's solid 
relationship with DHS. 
 
Meeting with Foreign Minister Aso 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff began the meeting by 
expressing his appreciation for the efforts of Japanese 
Ambassador Kato in Washington to establish a security 
dialogue with DHS.  Minister Aso praised the efforts of 
Ambassador Schieffer in fostering the wonderful relationship 
between Japan and U.S.  Secretary Chertoff thanked Minister 
Aso for Japanese government assistance provided in the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and described Katrina as the 
most devastating storm to hit the U.S. in the last 100 
years.  The Secretary went on to thank Minister Aso for his 
support of DHS anti-terrorism programs including:  a) 
granting diplomatic status to DHS personnel assigned to 
Japan as part of the Container Security Initiative, b) for 
concluding an exchange of diplomatic notes formally 
authorizing armed air marshal missions between Japan and the 
U.S. by both Federal Air Marshals and Japan Sky Marshals, c) 
for support of joint U.S. and Japan air marshal training at 
the Federal Air Marshal Training Center, and d) for 
continuing to support DHS' efforts to bring the Immigration 
Advisory Program (IAP) to Narita Airport. 
 
¶7.  (U)  Background Note on IAP:  The IAP is a part of an 
overall layered strategy designed to prevent terrorists from 
boarding commercial air flights to the U.S.  Other layers 
include visa reviews conducted by Consular Sections, 
electronic submission of advanced passenger manifest 
information (API), access to airline passenger name records 
(PNR), and border inspection on arrival at a port of entry. 
Under the proposed IAP for Narita Airport, a team of Customs 
and Border Protection officers would assist airlines to make 
boarding decisions by identifying possible terrorists, 
determining authenticity of travel documents, and assessing 
a passenger's admissibility to the U.S. before that 
passenger boards a plane destined for the U.S.  While the 
CSI program identifies risk to maritime shipping before a 
container is loaded aboard a U.S.-bound ship, the IAP 
identifies risk to air transportation before a passenger 
boards a U.S.-bound aircraft.  IAP would improve immigration 
enforcement, enhance security of air travel, and reduce the 
monetary penalties assessed against air carriers for landing 
inadmissible passengers. 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  DHS has an agreement in principle with MOFA to 
 
TOKYO 00001919  003 OF 008 
 
 
initiate the IAP as a 180-day pilot program, and there are 
ongoing negotiations over the language of diplomatic notes 
that would authorize the pilot.  The IAP has broad support 
from the air carriers because it saves the cost of penalties 
for landing inadmissible aliens and the lost revenue in 
having to return those aliens to the ports of departure. 
 
¶9.  (SBU)  In a clearly cheerful mood, Minister Aso showed a 
sample of Japan's new biometric passport to Secretary 
Chertoff with a playful reference to the Secretary being 
"the most dangerous man".  This appeared to be a reference 
to France and Italy's loss of visa waiver status for failing 
to meet the October 26, 2005, requirement for integrating a 
digital facial image into the data page of their passports. 
Although he had an interpreter present, Minister Aso 
conducted the meeting in English. 
 
¶10.  (SBU)  Minister Aso continued the discussion on visas 
by stressing the Japanese business community would like the 
U.S. to resume renewal of various visa categories in the 
U.S.  (domestic visa revalidation).  Minister Aso explained 
the U.S. no longer renews H (worker) and L (manager) visas 
in the U.S. which has generated complaints from the Japanese 
business community about the inconvenience of having to 
travel outside the U.S. to obtain new visas.  Secretary 
Chertoff stated he would look for a way to revalidate the 
visas and work with Secretary of State Rice to make progress 
on this issue. 
 
¶11.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff briefed the Minister on a 
program he intends to roll out shortly called "Secure 
Freight".  The purpose of this program, the Secretary 
explained, is to learn more information earlier about the 
contents of shipping containers, and that by knowing more 
about a container, it will not only be more secure but move 
faster.  The Secretary stated that part of this system would 
involve the use of radiation portal monitors to screen 
containers for radiological material and expressed his 
desire to work together with Japan to initiate the Megaports 
Initiative.  Minister Aso expressed industry's concern 
(specifically mentioning Toyota) over delays that such a 
system might cause in deliveries.  Secretary Chertoff 
responded that new technologies would minimize any possible 
delays and that collecting information at the point of 
export will increase security and speed up the delivery 
process.  After referring to the increase in exports to the 
U.S. from throughout Asia, the Secretary pointed out that 
cargo arriving in the U.S. from foreign ports with the best 
security would move faster and would offer a competitive 
advantage over cargo originating from less secure ports. 
The Secretary noted the advantage we have over the 
terrorists is technology and that we have to make better use 
of sophisticated detection technologies. 
 
¶12.  (SBU)  After briefly mentioning the North Korean 
abduction issue, Minister Aso turned his attention to the 
growing problem of illegal migrants in Japan, particularly 
the influx of Chinese.  The Minister stated 3 new jails were 
recently constructed to hold illegal migrants and that 
20,000 new police officers had been hired over the last 5 
years to address this issue.  Secretary Chertoff stated all 
civilized countries face the same set of issues and that 
raising security in one country will raise security for all. 
The Secretary stated he is tackling this issue in the U.S. 
through a combination of information and technology and 
praised Japan's decision to move forward with legislation 
authorizing the collection of biometric information from 
arriving passengers (Japan's version of the US-VISIT 
program) and mandatory submission of advanced passenger 
 
TOKYO 00001919  004 OF 008 
 
 
manifest information (API).  The Secretary explained that as 
an additional layer of defense, he is considering a 
requirement that all airlines servicing the U.S. provide 
advanced passenger manifest information (API) 60 minutes 
prior to departure of the aircraft.  (The current U.S. 
requirement is to provide the manifest information after 
departure).  The Secretary concluded by stating that if the 
U.S. and Japan operate collaboratively, our two countries 
can raise the global security standard. 
 
Meeting with Minister of Justice Sugiura 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶13.  (SBU)  The Justice Minister began the meeting with a 
robust explanation of Japan's anti-terrorism efforts.  The 
Minister explained how Japan has been targeted by Al Qaeda 
and needs to be united with the U.S. in its efforts to 
combat terrorism.  Minister Sugiura passed out copies of 
Japan's December 2004 action plan for anti-terrorism and 
reviewed MOJ's accomplishments to implement the action plan. 
The Minister pointed out that Japanese passports now contain 
integrated circuit chips and that MOJ has submitted 
legislation to the Diet that would authorize collection of 
biometric information from arriving passengers and 
deportation of terrorist suspects.  Minister Sugiura stated 
he was confident the legislation would pass during the 
current Diet session.  The Minister mentioned his visit to 
Korea in January 2006 and that Korea had also stressed to 
him the importance of international cooperation. 
 
¶14.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff recognized Japan as a strong 
friend of democracy and peace.  The Secretary explained his 
involvement in drafting the U.S. Patriot Act and the need 
for a legal mechanism to remove terrorist suspects.  The 
Secretary urged the Minister to initiate a pilot program to 
 
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exchange databases of terrorist information to ensure 
terrorists can't exploit gaps in our information systems and 
to continue discussions on implementing the Immigration 
Advisory Program at Narita Airport.  Minister Sugiura stated 
he agreed with the information exchanges and would consult 
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on how to accomplish 
such exchanges.  The Minister explained that Japan 
Immigration Bureau now has the legal authority to exchange 
information with foreign immigration authorities, but 
cautioned that harmonization of domestic privacy laws in 
Japan may be a sticking point to broader information 
sharing. 
 
¶15.  (SBU)  The Secretary and Minister agreed to have their 
respective staffs work together on ensuring the 
interoperability of biometric collection systems (US-VISIT 
and JAPAN-VISIT) and furthering database and biometric 
information exchanges.  The Secretary then raised the issue 
of increasing the legal authority in transit lounges at 
Japan's international airports.  The Minister acknowledged 
that there had been an increase in incidents involving 
passport swaps occurring in the transit areas.  To address 
this problem, the Minister stated Japan Immigration Bureau 
had increased its patrols of the transit areas and that in 
2004 had deported 272 people for transit lounge violations. 
The Minister went on to state that although there had been 
across the board cuts in government staffing, legislation 
had been submitted to add 150 new positions to Japan 
Immigration Bureau staffing and to assign 22 officers to 
transit area enforcement.  Minister Sugiura stated this 
legislation would pass the Diet on March 27, 2006. 
 
¶16.  (SBU)  After mentioning some of DHS' concerns with 
illegal migrants from China, Minister Sugiura stated illegal 
 
TOKYO 00001919  005 OF 008 
 
 
migrants from China were a "headache" for Japan.  He 
referred to statistics which showed illegal migrants commit 
crimes and spoke of the need to confer with Chinese 
officials about deporting Chinese prisoners in Japan.  The 
Secretary concluded by expressing that Japan is a wonderful 
 
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friend to the U.S. and a valuable partner.  Minister Sugiura 
advised that things move slowly in Japan but he is confident 
Japan is moving in the right direction now that goals have 
been established.  The Minister ended by saying Prime 
Minister Koizumi would step down when the current Diet 
session ends. 
 
Meeting with Public Safety Minister Tetsuo Kutsukake 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶17.  (SBU)  As Minister for Public Safety and Chairman of 
the National Public Safety Commission, Minister Kutsukake's 
portfolio includes disaster response and administrative 
supervision over the National Police Agency.  Secretary 
Chertoff's meeting with Minister Kutsukake represented the 
first cabinet level meeting with the Minister for Public 
Safety.  Prior to this meeting, National Police Agency (NPA) 
officials lobbied DHS Senior Representative vigorously to 
include NPA Commissioner-General Uruma as part of this 
meeting.  DHS Senior Representative agreed, but declined a 
last minute suggestion from NPA to conduct the meeting 
without Minister Kutsukake. 
 
¶18.  (SBU)  After expressing his sympathies for Katrina 
victims, Minister Kutsukake provided a brief explanation of 
Japan's nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) preparations (NPA 
has established expert NBC teams within 8 prefectural police 
departments and is cooperating more closely with the Self 
Defense Force).  Secretary Chertoff stated he too is 
concerned about the possibility of NBC attacks and has 
ordered the installation of radiation portal monitors at 
U.S. ports to ensure no nuclear material will be smuggled 
into the U.S.  The Secretary pressed the Minister for 
increased cooperation on terrorist and criminal threats and 
urged cooperation with DHS law enforcement agencies 
(Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Secret Service). 
 
¶19.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff pointed to the successful air 
marshal agreement with Japan (police officers serve as Japan 
Sky Marshals) as an accomplishment to build upon.  The 
Secretary asked if there would be some ability to exchange 
 
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information on terrorists and members of Japanese organized 
crime who may travel to the U.S.  The Secretary stated that 
knowing the identities of terrorist suspects and organized 
crime members who had applied for passports would assist the 
U.S. in refusing entry to such persons.  The Secretary also 
brought up the possibility of establishing a hotline for 
immediate confirmation of criminal suspects as a means to 
further cooperation.  The Secretary offered to share any 
information obtained from such individuals as part of the 
inspectional process in the U.S. with the NPA.  In response, 
Minister Kutsukake said it would be difficult to decide here 
but he would like to strengthen bilateral cooperation.  The 
Secretary offered to continue those discussions through the 
 
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DHS Senior Representative. 
 
¶20.  (SBU)  The Secretary briefed the Minister on a 
counterfeit U.S. currency investigation with possible links 
to Japan that is being conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. 
 
Meeting with Land Infrastructure and Transportation (MLIT) 
Minister Kitagawa 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
 
TOKYO 00001919  006 OF 008 
 
 
¶21.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff and Minister Kitagawa 
initiated their discussion by committing to continue the 
existing strong cooperation between the Coast Guards of 
Japan and the U.S. and to further the benefits to port 
security that result from that cooperation.  The Secretary 
then described how the Megaports Initiative would complement 
port security and asked for Minister Kitagawa's support to 
put Megaports in place.  The Minister responded that MLIT 
would cooperate.  The Secretary added that it was his desire 
to strike a balance between detection of dangerous material 
and maintaining the smooth flow of commerce. 
 
¶22.  (SBU)  Referring to the Ministerial Meeting on 
Transportation Security that he hosted in Tokyo during 
January 2006, Minister Kitagawa raised the issue of rail 
security and the suggestion made during the Ministerial by 
Transportation Secretary Mineta to create an international 
framework for cooperation on rail security.  Secretary 
Chertoff expressed his regrets for not being able to attend 
the Ministerial and stated how rail security presented a 
much larger challenge than air security because of the 
inability to screen rail passengers like air passengers. 
The Secretary and Minister agreed that a closer relationship 
and an exchange of information, technology, and techniques 
would drive the international standard for all modes of 
transportation security in the right direction. 
 
Meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Abe 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶23.  (SBU)  The Secretary began with an explanation of the 
creation of DHS and the portfolio he manages.  After hearing 
CCS Abe state his desire to maintain a balance between 
security and the flow of trade, Secretary Chertoff remarked 
that he shared that philosophy and described the challenge 
as one of identifying those few shipping containers that may 
pose a threat without disrupting trade.  Secretary Chertoff 
praised Japan as a wonderful ally and said that better 
screening and information will add to our security.  While 
noting the cooperative working relationship DHS enjoys with 
the Customs and Tariff Bureau on the CSI program, the 
Secretary stated he would like to build on that relationship 
 
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to initiate Megaports.  CCS Abe responded that Megaports, in 
terms of counter terrorism, is a very important job to do 
and expressed the hope that the related Ministries in Japan 
and the U.S. will talk about introducing this initiative on 
an official level.  The Secretary reiterated the importance 
he attaches to Megaports. 
 
¶24.  (SBU)  CCS Abe asked the Secretary for his cooperation 
to develop a procedure for domestic revalidation of business 
visas to avoid the cost and time of leaving the U.S. to 
obtain new working visas.  Secretary Chertoff stated he 
wants to make the U.S. welcoming for business and would 
discuss a renewal procedure for business visas with 
Secretary of State Rice. 
 
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¶25.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff stated the key to security is 
striking the enemy where he is and not at home, and that the 
border should be the last line of defense (not the first). 
CCS Abe said Japan is a small country, but has a long 
coastline and defending it requires Japan to be alert.  He 
stated there was a need to contain the Islamic threats in 
the region from Indonesia and the Philippines and drugs and 
weapons activity from North Korea.  CCS Abe acknowledged 
Ambassador Schieffer's recent visit to a site where North 
Korean agents abducted a Japanese citizen and spoke of the 
need to enforce laws against North Korea and the importance 
of sharing information on Muslim extremists. 
 
TOKYO 00001919  007 OF 008 
 
 
 
¶26.  (SBU)  Secretary Chertoff said he was very interested 
in sharing information not only on terrorists but also on 
organized crime, and that both countries benefited from 
information exchange because it multiplied the value of 
existing information.  The Secretary stated he would be 
going to China as part of his trip to urge the leadership to 
accept the return of illegal Chinese migrants in the U.S. 
CCS Abe remarked that Japan faces a similar concern and is 
considering a treaty with China to return the approximately 
1400 Chinese prisoners currently in Japanese jails.  The 
Secretary observed that Europe also has a problem with 
 
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Chinese migrants and that he intended to push firmly but 
politely to force China to accept repatriation.  The meeting 
ended with the Secretary thanking Japan for its Katrina 
assistance and both leaders acknowledging the need for 
international cooperation in the event of an outbreak of 
avian flu. 
 
Meeting with American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶27.  (U)  Secretary Chertoff repeated to ACCJ members what 
he had stated during his official meetings -- that his goal 
is to balance security concerns with ensuring the smooth 
flow of goods and services.  He solicited ideas from members 
of the Transportation and Logistics Committee on ways 
industry could work with DHS to enhance cargo security.  The 
Secretary referred specifically to the ongoing debate for 
 
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100 percent inspection of all cargo and asked for the 
industry's input on an alternative to 100 percent 
inspection.  The Secretary acknowledged 100 percent 
inspection is a simple concept that could gain unexpected 
momentum much as the Dubai Ports issue did.  On the 
elimination of the Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) program, 
the Secretary said some easing of the restriction that 
transit passengers must have visas is a possibility, but 
only once security measures such as API, total containment 
of U.S. transit lounges, and biometric passports were in 
place.  Committee members representing the air carriers were 
emphatic that Japan's large population of legal migrants and 
workers from Latin America should be considered an ideal 
population for TWOV.  They also noted that Varig Airlines, 
which had operated at Narita for 30 years, was forced to 
exit the market because passengers are routing through 
Europe rather than the U.S.  The Secretary also noted that 
Japan, unlike some countries, has done very well with its 
preparations for a biometric passport, and suggested the API 
Quick Query (real time transmission of passenger manifest 
data) currently a pilot program in the EU, could be extended 
to Japan in the future. 
 
Meeting with Safety and Security Commission 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶28.  (U)  The Safety and Security Commission is an advisory 
panel to the Japanese government on homeland security and 
critical infrastructure protection issues.  The members of 
the commission include former vice ministers and business 
executives.  General Larry Welch, former U.S. Air Force 
Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Homeland Security Science 
and Technology Committee met with the commission during 
February 2006.   Ambassador Yanai, former Japanese 
Ambassador to Washington and former Deputy Chief Cabinet 
Secretary Ishihara were among the commission members who met 
 
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with Secretary Chertoff. 
 
¶29.  (U)  In remarks to the commission, Secretary Chertoff 
explained his trip was designed to encourage major Asian 
 
TOKYO 00001919  008 OF 008 
 
 
trading partners to agree on elevating the standard of cargo 
and passenger screening worldwide and expanding the use of 
radiation detection technology.  The Secretary pointed to 
agreements with China and Singapore on Megaports and looked 
forward to making progress with Japan on this issue.  The 
Secretary stated that technology and information and 
 
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intelligence sharing are the advantages the civilized world 
has over the terrorists. 
 
¶30.  (U)  In responding to a question on Japan's attitude 
toward terrorism, the Secretary answered that Japan should 
be realistic without being alarmist about the threat of 
terrorism because the goal of the terrorists is to destroy 
the international economic system and Japan is a large part 
of that system.  The Secretary continued by saying the 
international economic system is fueled by the movement of 
goods and people, and although terrorists may strike, 
governments shouldn't destroy what they are trying to 
protect. 
 
Progress on Megaports 
--------------------- 
 
¶31.  (U)  DHS is undertaking a series of initiatives 
intended to secure global maritime trade lanes.  Some of 
these initiatives are CSI, the Customs-Trade Partnership 
Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Operation Safe Commerce and the 
Maritime Asset Tag Tracking System (two technologies to 
secure and monitor shipping containers as they move in the 
supply chain), International Port Security Program, and the 
Megaports radiation detection initiative, which is a 
cooperative effort between DHS and the Department of Energy. 
Each of these initiatives is intended to address different 
aspects of the challenge of preventing terrorists from using 
the global trading system to move arms, weapons of mass 
destruction, and to carry out catastrophic attacks.  Under 
the Megaports Initiative, the USG would assist GOJ to add 
radiation detection capabilities at seaports in Japan that 
would permit Japanese officials to passively and non- 
intrusively screen cargo for nuclear and other radiological 
materials. 
 
¶32.  (SBU)  Since October 2005, DHS and Department of Energy 
officials have met twice with a working group (organized by 
MOFA) of eleven Japanese stakeholder agencies to explain the 
details of the Megaports Initiative.  The working group 
discussions suggest that Japan Customs would be the clear 
lead agency because of Customs' presence at the ports and 
the inspectional nature of the project.  Japan Customs, 
however, has been reluctant to take the lead role because of 
legal considerations and  concern that moving shipping 
containers through radiation portal monitors may disrupt the 
flow of container traffic and cause delays. 
 
SCHIEFFER