Reviewing international conditions in 2006, one of the most serious occurrences deserving special mention was a nuclear test by North Korea, which not only gave a great shock to the world but also cast a shadow on international nuclear nonproliferation efforts. At the same time, the threat of international terrorism by Islamic extremists and other groups has further expanded, as their large-scale attack plots have been discovered in developed countries. Various issues in Middle Eastern countries also exhibited a state of confusion, as represented by the issue of Iran's nuclear development and aggravated public security in Iraq. Thus, overall, international situations tended to be more difficult and complicated.
In particular, the nuclear test following the missile launches North Korea conducted in disregard of the concern of international society resulted in an extreme increase of tension in the area of Northeast Asia surrounding Japan. To counter the North Korea's moves, the Japanese government immediately announced countermeasures to be implemented, and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted the “sanction resolution.” Even China reacted against North Korea more severely than before. Afterwards, North Korea declared to return to the Six-Party Talks, but the country continued to be adamant, insisting on the status of a “nuclear power,” and also starting condemnation of the Abe administration, asserting that “the abduction issue has already been resolved.” As for the internal conditions of North Korea, Pyongyang's willingness for “Economic Reform,” as shown in the visit of Kim Jong Il to China, failed to bear fruit. On the contrary, their continuing economic slump, aggravated by factors like the “financial sanctions,” made existing social instability factors further worse, which could undermine the regime, such as food shortages, inflow of external information and loosened social control and discipline. Therefore, special attentions should be paid to North Korea's movement.
China, with its growing economic strengths and military power, has tried to “cooperate with the United States” as illustrated by the visit of President Hu Jintao to Washington. At the same time, China worked hard to expand its influence in international society as President Hu Jintao paid visits to Russia and India and invited African leaders to host the summit meeting in China. China emphasized the improvement of relations with Japan by agreeing to hold the summit meeting between the two countries in the wake of the inauguration of the Abe administration. As for China's internal affairs, the government proposed to build a “harmonious society” and strengthened the power base of the Hu Jintao administration by dismissing Secretary of CPC Shanghai municipal committee who was alleged to belong to the Jiang Zemin faction. However, China still had a pile of domestic problems including widening income disparity.
Russia impressed the world with the significance of its presence by hosting the G8 Summit for the first time as the chair country. Russia maintained its hard-line attitude over the Northern Territories issue. Within the country, the Russian politics moved into high gear with an eye to post Putin administration.
In the Middle East, due to intensified sectarian violence and frequent terrorist attacks, security in Iraq was still under extremely serious circumstances even after the inauguration of the new government. Iran was promoting nuclear development programs while ignoring the warning messages of the UNSC Resolution, leading the reactions of relevant countries toward Iran's nuclear development issue to become complicated. In addition, Israel, Palestine and Afghanistan remained under unstable situations due to armed clashes and aggravated public security.
As for international terrorism, at the active instigations of “Al-Qaeda” aiming at the expansion of attacks targeting various cities worldwide, the inspired Islamic extremists and other terrorists increased attacks in Iraq, its neighbors and other countries. In developed countries such as Canada and United Kingdom, large-scale attack plots attempted by “homegrown terrorists” were uncovered one after another, striking the world with the imminent menace of terrorism. Japan and other developed countries have further fortified counterterrorism measures including institutional development such as improvement of relevant laws, systems or organizations.
Even after the decision (January 23) of the Public Security Examination Commission on the (second) extension for the surveillance period, Aum Shinrikyo has shown absolute faith in Asahara and his dogma, and continued the recruiting of members by hiding the name of the cult. In these ways, the group has made efforts to keep the strength of the organization while maintaining its dangerous nature. The Supreme Court rejected a special appeal (September 15), finalizing Asahara's death sentence, but the cult is instructing members to pray for Asahara's survival and life prolongation, and further strengthen their faith in Asahara. As the execution of Asahara has set in as a reality, it would be a concern that illegal actions may be taken by the members having blind faith in Asahara. At the same time, within the cult, the rift between Joyu's group, which promoted the policy of “hiding the influence of Asahara,” and the anti-Joyu group, which emphasized absolute faith in Asahara, was exposed. Against this background, Joyu announced his plan to establish “a new organization,” but both groups showed no change in their attitude as far as worshipping Asahara was concerned.
The Japanese Communist Party and radical leftist groups opposed the Japan-U.S. agreement on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan and promoted protest movements together with opposing residents of the municipalities with U.S. bases. They organized anti-war and anti-nuclear movements regarding the deployment of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Iraq and North Korea's nuclear test, and criticized the government in relation to important bills such as a national referendum bill and the bill to amend the Fundamental Law of Education.
On the other hand, right-wing groups have been active, especially on diplomacy and territorial issues. Among others, they resorted to extreme acts including an arson attack on the house of a Diet member who opposed Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Moreover, in the heightened tension caused by North Korea's nuclear test and the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals, right-wing groups invoked many illegal cases such as severing a wrist in front of the Diet building in protest, sending a threatening letter with a severed little finger to Chongryon central headquarters, and running a campaign vehicle into a building of a company that was suspected to have exported embargoed goods to North Korea.
(C)Copyright 1998-2006 Ministry of Justice.