Chapter 2 New Maritime Security in Response to UNCLOS
(1) Illegal Immigration Countermeasures
a. Current State
Foreigners continue to try to enter Japan illegally by ship, as they have been attempting to do in recent years. During the current fiscal year, JMSA arrested 239 illegal immigrants as of July 31.
JMSA expects frequent occurrences of this type of crime hereafter as well, since it is believed that the continued existence of differences in income between Japan and its surrounding countries spurs people to try to enter the country to work illegally to earn high wages.
b. Future Countermeasures
The establishment anew of contiguous zones outside the perimeter of the territorial sea will enable JMSA to take the following actions against illegal immigration hereafter.
(i) When an on-the-spot inspection in a contiguous zone reveals that a ship is carrying a person or persons attempting to enter Japan illegally, it will be possible to take measures to have the ship in question withdraw from the contiguous zone to prevent illegal entry.
(ii) Also, when JMSA discovers a ship, etc., in a contiguous zone attempting to flee after having already allowed illegal immigrants to disembark, it will be possible to take measures to arrest, etc., the ship in even that zone; whereas in the past such arrests could be conducted only within the territorial sea.
Therefore. JMSA is responding appropriately by taking actions such as actively deploying patrol vessels and craft in contiguous zones and waters immediately outside these zones, for the early detection of ships involved in illegal immigration.
(2) Water's Edge Law Enforcement Measures Against Firearm and Drug Smuggling
a. Situation Prior to UNCLOS Ratification
During the past three years, JMSA (including instances in which it acted jointly with other law enforcement organizations) seized 61 firearms, such as handguns, and approximately 176 kg of marijuana and 335 kg of stimulant drugs (including raw materials).
It is believed that the majority of these firearms and drugs are smuggled in from
