Japan steps up border control measures after IS threat

And here Abe takes the lead down the rabbit hole!

Moderator: Please stop using these threads to post your anti-Abe rants.

be careful many terrorists are holding western passport (UK,US, Canada.....).

Also, start a better screening of the incoming crowd to Japan, to reduce potential threats.

“What we should realize is that the Japanese are no exception to terrorist targets. We really should open our eyes to see this reality,”

And while you're at it, I think he and the rest of Japan might discover a lot of other 'realities' about the world that they've ignored up until now as well.

More gaijins are going to be racially profiled and harassed by local police now...

Like I said before have nothing to do with this region of the world. They are open to their own devices and thinking. Leave them alone.

How about people taking more care, not to leave/pay attention, to unattended bags in restaurants etc

So the sniffer dogs are going to sniff out a terrorist are they?

How exactly will the police spot a radicalised muslim?

What a load of rubbish. Abe is ratcheting up the fear factor.

Reasons to be fearful - part 3!

News folks, JAPAN is also part of this PLANET, even islands can get terrrorist attack them, last time I checked the UK were islands and they have been attacked by different terrrorists, so basically NO country on the face of the earth can escape from these crazy terrorists. Oh, there was a group called the Japanese Red Army, that for many years were active terrorists. So we do not have to only worry and be on alert for MUSLIM terrorists but let us not forget of the 100% JAPANESE AUM SHINRI KYO etc...

How come so little was done after Muslim militants killed 10 Japanese in Algeria in 2013?. And why is a single death prompting far more of a reaction than the 10 murders?

And why is a single death prompting far more of a reaction than the 10 murders?

It was the way it was done, on camera, aimed at the Japanese people. THAT is why it's different.

I actually thought the procedures at Narita were already pretty tight: I mean you queue for what seems like ages, get your fingerprints taken... wait forever for your bag turning up and then having a pretty girl in a smart uniform ask to see inside the case before you leave the airport... and a copper asks to see your passport. You then head for the Skyliner and there are coppers down there too... seems like the red tape involved in just leaving the airport is pretty intense. Then again, when I arrive at Glasgow Airport to start my journey the coppers are armed with MP5s and wander around the check in area like black clad squaddies.

For a government that's not big on transparency, we can see right through you, Shinzo!

@Latinoz I think a lot of Japanese are in fact very conscious of those "other realities" you mentioned. Give it, there are a lot of people that ignore about the reality of other parts of the world... but that kind of people you can find all around the world and they ignore it because of different reasons...

@Steve Crichton

True... but then again, US mother/UK mother/French mothers/Russian mothers/Brazilian mothers/Peruvian mothers, etc. that kill and abuse their children are also left alone....

Be a bit more centered in your comments will you?

"It was the way it was done, on camera, aimed at the Japanese people"

Public policies shouldnt be based on images, but on actual risk levels. Goto was a single individual who decided to venture into dangerous areas. The 10 murdered Japanese were doing their jobs for an established company in a country where the authorities were supposed to provide protection.

The risk implications are far higher in the latter case, yet it yielded a much smaller security response back home. Weird, and wrong.

Another clear exapmple of how Abe has made this country less safe--that this needs to be done!

That is so ridiculous. What do these guys want to screen for? Do they expect ISIS followers to enter Narita in full ISIS gear, waving black Shahada flags? Talk about meaningless show measures.

WilliB,

Exactly. Meaningless show measures.

This is all smoke screen.

Abe is creating a "danger threat" so that he can change the constitution.

Moderator: Please refrain from posting rubbish like this. The threat from IS is very real.

Many Terrorist do 't come the ME, African Muslim, etc country.

Many do hold European, US, Canadian or other citizenships though, they might even hold Japanese citizenship.

Many Terrorist do 't come the ME, African Muslim, etc country. Many do hold European, US, Canadian or other citizenships though, they might even hold Japanese citizenship.

This is true. Terrorists are adapting. Ever since the London bombings, one of their main strategy has been to radicalize people from the countries they want to attack, and thereby cause mayhem by proxy. This was exactly the case what happened in France, and is the kind of terror that is the hardest to stop.

The terrorists main goal is to strike terror in the hearts of the Japanese. Making irrational decisions is playing into their hands. I hope Japan realizes it.

Checking out likely candidates at the border is a good idea, its not hard to identify people from countries that could pose a threat, if its called profiling then so be it, japan has every right to protect itself and limit who enters and who does not. If they feel a threat by someone's identity documents , place of origin, or appearance then they can take precautions.

That is so ridiculous. What do these guys want to screen for? Do they expect ISIS followers to enter Narita in full ISIS gear, waving black Shahada flags? Talk about meaningless show measures

WilliB,

This is all about PERCEPTION !!

In Japan PERCEPTION has always been more important than REALITY in many aspects of life here, basically can be summarized as pretending to do something while doing nothing or next to nothing.

@ StormR

I concur completely with your comments on the inevitability of profiling.

Looks like the whole "terror" scheme is working with only the expats. lol

Before the TSA was instituted, Japanese Immigration and security staff got 140 hours of training to the US' (at the time) 11. The TSA probably gets more than that now, but Japanese airport personnel have always been well-trained.

"In Japan PERCEPTION has always been more important than REALITY in many aspects of life here, basically can be summarized as pretending to do something while doing nothing or next to nothing."

As it is in the case of the Thousands Standing Around, it's Security Theater, but on a much worse level, as caterers, baggage handlers and tarmac personnel only have to swipe a badge to have full access to planes, they don't go through manned checkpoints. So while the average Dick and Jane are having their bags and underwear gone through (while wearing it!) in the name of 'safety', hundreds of unchecked workers access planes every day. Fall in with the cause, give your badge to someone else, and a bomb's on a plane. Atlanta just had a big bust in which they discovered that over 100 handguns had been smuggled past security by tarmac/luggage employees. The TSA can't discover what doesn't go by them in the first place.

just to give a false security, anyways, the problem its not in Japan, its a out the Japanese going to other countries that started this problem, they should not go where they do not belong, or around the problem area!

Himajin.

Fully agree does not matter if it is airport, computer, etc security you always have to remain vigilant.

but let us not forget of the 100% JAPANESE AUM SHINRI KYO etc...

True. Members of such Japanese groups are not subject to the same security screening at airports which the rest of the gaijin have to go through. This of course ignores the fact that the only people to have carried out terrorism in Japan are Japanese. Foreigners are already being fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival (even existing visa holders) Of course it's never enough

So I say that I find the security at Narita fine and I get thumbed down for it? So what do you want? Chiba police riot teams roaming about with big shields and loud hailers? Or armed teams in black parading around like stormtroopers?

Public policies shouldnt be based on images, but on actual risk levels. Goto was a single individual who decided to venture into dangerous areas. The 10 murdered Japanese were doing their jobs for an established company in a country where the authorities were supposed to provide protection.

@JeffLee: True, but TBH that's how it's done everywhere. Remember the same thing happened when IS murdered the American and English hostages which led to full on military strikes against them. The world ignored IS when they were massacring thousands in Iraq before that happened.. The video executions are a personal touch and a lot easier to report on for media outlets. Thus the uproar over these compared to other, much worse atrocities. Anyway, "1 death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic" still rings truer than ever today.

They also likely won't be issuing any visas if any kind to people from countries in the Middle East or African Muslim countries or Pakistan likely. If they can't get in, they can't cause trouble.

Unless they come to sign nice discounts on petrol and gas with Japan? Yeah, let me help you, your comment is full of hypocrisy.

In my sons school and class are 3 Muslims with dual-citizenships Japanese & Pakistani/Bangladesh/Afghanistan.

Japan has already many Muslims living and studying here.

Good to see that security is being tightened; it's needed at entry points worldwide. Can't ever be too careful.

The airports will be full of beans:

Oni ha soto! Fuku ha uchi!

Groups like the ISIS feed on the repression of innocent Muslims. The best response in their eyes would be pogroms targeting the entire Muslim population. Senseless repression, profiling and racism will slowly alienate and then radicalize many converts to their twisted ideology. The west (and perhaps Japan in the near future), has long done the bulk of the recruiting work for radical Islam, either outright funding and forming such groups, or bombing civilian populations to smithereens for decades of endless war, radicalizing the shellshocked survivors.

I always find it amazing that many bloodthirsty pro-capital punishment/revenge porn westerners are so unable to comprehend Muslim rage and thirst for vengeance. You bomb weddings and residential areas, maim and kill my kids, not to mention the lesser offenses (sanctions on Iraq for instance that deprived families of necessary medicines for years, repatriating the vast majority of oil profits)--do all these things, deprive me of a chance for a better life, take my loved ones from me, and what do you think is going to be the response. Imagine what you'd do.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that none of us have had wars waged in our homelands for the past 70 yrs. at the least.

Anyway, not to interfere with the looming "Two Minutes Hate." And god knows there is plenty of profit to be made--Abe wants to sell all those shiny weapons (the same companies that enriched themselves during WWII are chomping at the bit). That the yakuza or Aum or loonies with knives or parents killing their children or suicidal types make two dead/year seem trivial in comparison, that this response is so disproportionate as to boggle the mind...

maybe they are now transitioning more from perception toward reality. some positive influence from mass media and the internet i suppose.

The best thing is to keep all Arabs out of Japan.

No, the best thing is to keep you out of Japan.

But what if the terrorists arrived before these new measures, whatever they might be? Is the government saying that up until now border controls have been lax and terrorists were free to enter the country? What about those signs on the Shinkansen saying "JR and the police are on the alert"? Will they now say "JR and the police are really on the alert"?

There is nothing to be scared of and no need to worry. You are more likely to win the lottery than be killed by a terrorist in Japan.

"So let the nightmare for Japan begin.”

How about expanding the nightmare for IS that began last week with the Kurds kicking them out of Kobane with an all-out assault by a coalition of the willing led by Muslim-majority nations?

"threat by the Islamic State to kill more Japanese citizens."

Wow. I mean these guys are text book "terrorists". The have threaten to invade Russia, Germany, and Canada. They advocate slavery. They love beheadings. Now they threaten to kill more Japanese just because what? Japan tried to get its citizens back through peaceful means. Now they need metal masks, green capes, and a diabolic laugh.

All these years Japan has been quite liberal. At least now they tighten the security.

If Abe were smart, he would do what other countries do and just say "We are on orange alert, and we will be tightening security measures", and not provide any details.

This type of announcement about patrolmen and sniffer dogs, and an "Anti-terrorism" task force is just the reaction that IS is looking for, and also provides them with too much information.

Don't know what Japan's VISA situation is these days, but I'd require EVERYONE to have one from now on. Further, Japan, if it hasn't already, needs to get a lot cozier with the intelligence services of the EU states and the U.S. The Japanese National police are fairly unsophisticated and have virtually no state security training. This must change if the Abe administration is going to make statements about bringing these people to justice.

What's up with posters who are against tightened-up security measure? Your what-you-think-so-precious time being spent on the extra security check at the airport isn't as precious as possible random innocent lives at risk.

If Japan ever gets attached by a terrorist, "Abe/government sucks! They murdered innocent lives!!" If Japan tries to guard up, "Abe/government sucks! Imperial Japan is back! Nazi! Nanking! Death march!!"

It's not terrorists that they dispise. It's Japan/Abe/Japanese government.

After 9/11, I was in Boston. The airport took anything sharp and weird from us including tweezer, a 2-millimeter-long exact design knife, and eyelash curler. The security line was over an hour long. But what could I say? I completely understood American people's fear and terror. I had no reason to complain about it. I love and respect USA (as well as any other country) and as a foreigner who has nothing to hide, I am always more than happy to take my time and cooperate, Luckily, I am always treated well by officers anywhere I go. Never met a mean one.

Jeff Huffman:

" Don't know what Japan's VISA situation is these days, but I'd require EVERYONE to have one from now on. "

Everyone IS required to have a visa in Japan. There is no USA style open southern border here in Japan, and millions of "undocumented gaijins".... I think you are barking up the wrong tree.

IS will not likely come to Japan but will try to snatch it's citizens living or working on outside and this measures are doing nothing good for them...

@WilliB

Jeff Huffman is probably talking about short-term stay visa exemption?

http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html

3,703 criminals (2,101 Chinese, 361 Phillipine, 251 Thai) slipped the custom and later got arrested in 2006. Notably, it says both air and water so some took a boat to Japan...oh buoy.

17年中に警察が検挙した不法入国者及び不法上陸者の数は3,703人(前年比98人減)であった。これを、国籍・地域別にみると、最も多いのは中国(2,101人)で、次いでフィリピン(361人)、タイ(251人)の順となっている。また、正規に入国し、在留期間が経過した後も引き続き我が国に残留する不法残留罪の適用により、6,145人を検挙した(前年比309人減)。

http://www.npa.go.jp/hakusyo/h18/honbun/hakusho/h18/html/i3420000.html

"chilling threats to single out Japanese anywhere as targets." I have told you repeatedly: this (killing Japanese journalists) was just a beginning. Japanese have enjoyed a peaceful environment for years. It was like being in a Disneyland for those, like myself, to visit Japan occasionally. Those who never lived in another country do not understand what I mean: extraordinary peace that I feel when ordinary Japanese provide a sense of TRUST and RESPECT to others. The Japanese government should not have provided money to the western allies; and, by doing so, the Japanese government got involved with centuries-long religious wars. From now on, you will have an uncomfortable experience at all securities check points. Japanese traditional, cultural, unspoken and mutual feeling of "trust" and "safety" that exist among Japanese themselves and even with foreigners will be diminished dramatically. And, the fun party is over.

For the sake of the Japanese people, the government really needs to stop sticking its nose in fights it has no concern with. It's sad the two gentlemen died, yes, but ISIS are nothing but cold blooded murderers who have tarnished Islam's name. I feel quite sorry for the vast majority of Muslims worldwide who have condemned terrorism (many have) and still get blamed for it. Many have done atrocities in the name of everything you can think of, even Buddhism in Myanmar. But the fact is, terror has no religion, this applies to all.

How come so little was done after Muslim militants killed 10 Japanese in Algeria in 2013?. And why is a single death prompting far more of a reaction than the 10 murders?

Because the incident was not specific to Japan. The Japanese involved just happened to be there as were other foreigners.

The kidnapping case was different. Direct threats were made.

It should not be hard to figure out. Either you are pretending ignorance or really are a worry.

Yes,security measures will mean total persecution of us foreigners living in Japan. When I came back from holidays last month, some guy at Customs wanted to see my passport. I was SHOCKED and OUTRAGED!

"The Japanese involved just happened to be there"

Nonsense. If they had been devout or fundamentalist Muslims, they would have been spared execution. They were killed because they were seen as infidels, given that Islam is not a native religion of Japan.

The various militants groups have threatened to target any and all non-Muslim assets in their regions, Japanese included.

Japan today mods.. How is discussion of religion off topic when the threat comes from a group that self identifies as the Islamic state?

As long as we allow special privilege to some kinds of ideas allowing them above comment we will never have a peaceful safe world.

Moderator: The topic is border controls, not religion.

I don't think this is necessary

Moderator: The topic is border controls, not religion."

Genuniely confused...

Perhaps Don't post stories that involve religion then.....

Moderator: The story isn't about religion. It's about enhanced security measures. That ends discussion on this point.

I blow right through customs and immigration here at Narita like it was nothing and I've come and gone dozens of times. Only one time did I feel it was a hassle when the guy asked me a few questions coming back from a visit to my family in the US and that was still nothing compared to the wait times and discussions and baggage checks I've had coming into the US... where I'm still a citizen. And my wife had to get that ESTA thing just to accompany me last summer. So from my personal experience-- which I understand represents a very small data set and therefore renders my conclusions suspect from the get-go-- I've always felt Japan was a fairly easy nut to crack up until now, and even more so now that we no longer have to go get that extra stamp at the local immigration office when coming and going, while the US is practically Fortress Americana.

On the other hand, what measures can Japan take at the airports to make things safer? Terrorists aren't going to come here on "jihad" visas or necessarily with forged papers. As far as I know, the guys who did 9/11 in the US were all in the country legally. So good luck figuring this one out.

Not just airports the also need to secure all seaports, fishing ports and ferries.

Like was shown at US airports workers are a possible security risk, many international freighters use an international crew.

Also recall how recently drug smuggling was exposed using harbour tug boats as they were never searched or their crew checked.

Not an easy task.

Die Intellectual:

" But the fact is, terror has no religion, this applies to all. "

No. Not true. We hear this slogan repeatedly, but it is simply not true. If you claim this to be true, then please list all the terrorist acts committed by Bahais or Jain. I am not holding my breath while I am waiting.

Fear of terror could be a new normal in Japan but it doesn't have to be considered a bad thing. It'll certainly help Japan & its people become more alert, vigilant and compassionate. Could be a huge catalyst in changing complacent culture.

I've heard that dogs can smell (sense) fear in a person but are the dogs there to smell out a terrorist or the 'dangerous' items they may have on their person or in their bags?!

WilliBFEB. 04, 2015 - 01:49AM JST Everyone IS required to have a visa in Japan. There is no USA style open southern border here in Japan, and millions of "undocumented gaijins".... I think you are barking up the wrong tree.

I think you're rather confused about the nature and breadth of VISAs. When I first visited Japan in 1979, tourists from most everywhere still had to have a VISA. However, today, Canadians and Americans do not need VISAs to visit Japan. I think that is also the case with EU countries as well as Brazil and Peru.

And while there certainly aren't millions of illegal aliens in Japan, there are thousands of "entertainers" in Tokyo alone working in Kabukicho.

If Japan reverts to requiring VISAs for all visitors, this greatly reduces the chances of "bad guys" getting on the plane abroad.

Very good step! Long live Japanese peaceful mind!

Jeff Huffman:

" If Japan reverts to requiring VISAs for all visitors, this greatly reduces the chances of "bad guys" getting on the plane abroad. "

Firstly, even Americans and Canadians are required to have a visa here. If they are not required to obtained it beforehand, they get it stamped into their passports upon arrival. You are not allowed to just fly/swim into Japan without appearing at immigration. Secondly, in what universe does obtaining a visa in and by itself reduce the chance of bad guys arriving here? Do you seriously think that potential terrorists would write "suicide bombing" or some such into the "purpose of visit" column??

WilliBFEB. 05, 2015 - 05:05PM JST Firstly, even Americans and Canadians are required to have a visa here.

Have you ever even been to Japan? Do you even understand what is meant by VISA? Americans, Canadians and people from probably another dozen countries or so are NOT required to obtain a VISA prior to visiting Japan. The Japanese government requires VISAs only for people coming to work, study or otherwise stay for extended periods of time. I know this for a fact having worked in Japan three times, being married to a Japanese citizen and having travelled to Japan on holiday more than a dozen times over the last 40 years. I've experienced their process as it has changed.

If they are not required to obtained it beforehand, they get it stamped into their passports upon arrival. You are not allowed to just fly/swim into Japan without appearing at immigration.

Passing through immigration and having your passport stamped as admitted is not a VISA. Again, I don't think you understand what a VISA is. Immigrations at a Japanese airport does not issue VISAs. They must be obtained from a consulate or embassy prior to departure.

Secondly, in what universe does obtaining a visa in and by itself reduce the chance of bad guys arriving here? Do you seriously think that potential terrorists would write "suicide bombing" or some such into the "purpose of visit" column??

Again, you don't seem to know anything about Japan or, again, understand the VISA application process.

Any country that requires VISAs can delay or deny you one for whatever reason it chooses, even for tourism. And believe me, the Japanese have do this. The Japanese "profile" and simply ignore an applications of anyone from anywhere deemed undesirable and that person has no recourse. Do they catch everyone and are they consistent? Of course not. Consider all the Nigerians and all the female Russian, Chinese and Filipino "entertainers" in Japan. The latter were all brought in by the yakuza with pre-arranged pay-offs or they are women arriving on tourism VISAs and just disappear. Kind of doubt this would become much of a problem, however, with young men form the ME and S. and C. Asia seeking tourism or even academic VISAs if for no other reason than Japanese don't like foreigners in general but are especially wary of anyone not from the U.S., Canada, Western Europe, Scandinavia, NZ or Australia and will, without a doubt, be even more cautious than they have been to date.

@JeffLee

Isis doesn't discriminate when killing, non Muslim or Muslim are fair game! The Jordanian pilot was a Muslim,was he not? Anyone accused and sentenced under Isil's 'justice system' (sic) is likely to be thrown off a building,stoned to death or set on fire.We should not equate Isis with religion nor we should we believe that Isis acts differently to others on a religious bias when it most patently does not......