Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Q&As

REPORTER: I have a question regarding the bill to amend the Law on Punishment of Organized Crimes , which would newly make it a crime to make preparations to commit acts of organized crime, including terrorism. Today the ruling parties have begun deliberating the bill. It seems that the draft provisions do not include reference to “terrorism.” I believe the Government has been stressing the need for this bill from the standpoint of counterterrorism, stating that all possible measures need to be taken to prevent organized crime, including terrorism, from occurring. What reason led to the omission of “terrorism”?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: First of all, we are currently in the process of finalizing this bill. The content is being coordinated with the ruling parties, and nothing has been decided at this point in time. Thus far, 187 countries and regions have signed the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and Japan is the only G7 country that has not signed. In addition, Japan needs to make all possible arrangements to prevent organized crime, including terrorism, from occurring in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games that are coming up in three years. The Government views that the legislation is essential to fight organized crime, including terrorism, in coordination with the international community. We are now making the final adjustments for developing the legislation associated with Japan’s signing of the convention. Nothing has been decided.

REPORTER: I have a related question. You stated that the content of the bill is being coordinated and that nothing has been decided yet. I understand that “terrorism” is not included in the current draft legislation that was presented to the ruling parties. Are you saying that “terrorism” could be included depending on how the adjustments go?

CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government is considering making it a crime to make preparations to commit acts of organized crime, including terrorism. It would criminalize the acts of preparation to commit organized crime, including terrorism, when the acts themselves happen, limited to groups that seek to commit certain crimes. Furthermore, we are finalizing the bill to make it clear that it would be impossible for the general public to be charged for such crimes. In this sense, we are making adjustments to the bill as firmly as we can to narrow down the applicable crimes in connection with the convention.

(Abridged)