(3) Piracy
1] Frequency of Piracy and Expansion of its Area
a) Aiming for Peaceful South East Asian Waters
In recent years, the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships (hereafter referred to as 'piracy') has been steadily increasing worldwide. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) data, the 132 cases in 1995 grew approximately 2.4 times to 309 cases in 1999. Of these, more than half occurred in South East Asia, mainly in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and waters surrounding Indonesia.
b) The Necessity of International Cooperation
Piracy is thought to involve transnational syndicates and since post-crime areas of escape are expanding, the anti-piracy measures of one nation are limited, and alliances among relevant nations are urgently being sought.
2] Solving the Piracy Problem
From 27 to 29 April 2000, JCG, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport, held the Regional Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships at which the top officials, and other representatives, of 26 coast guard agencies from 15 countries and regions in Asia in charge of maritime search and rescue and maintaining maritime order in their respective countries met together in Tokyo. At the conference, as regards anti-piracy measures, a lively exchange of views took place on the necessity of transnational alliances and cooperation as well as on specific areas of alliances and cooperation for the future. As a result, through the enthusiasm and efforts of each participant, the Asia Anti-Piracy Challenges 2000 was adopted which will serve as the guiding principle of the endeavors and transnational alliances and cooperation among the coast guard agencies in the region in the future. In addition to the establishment of a system of rapid information exchange and the creation of a system of alliance and cooperation for controlling piracy, and other purposes, among the coast guard agencies of the countries concerned, the Asia Anti-Piracy Challenges 2000 outlines reviews of various support measures for each country.
