Japan to bolster counterterrorism measures with launch of new task force

The Japanese government will launch a new task force under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry on Dec. 8 that will take the lead in the country's revamped counterterrorism initiatives, local media reported Saturday.

In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will discuss plans with French President Francois Hollande on the sidelines of the U.N. climate summit in the French capital, in a show of solidarity and dedication to working with the international community on counterterrorism initiatives.

The new task force is to be comprised of around 40 experts from the foreign and defense ministries, as well as the National Police Agency and other relevant authorities, and will be charged with gathering information pertaining to regions spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia, sources with knowledge of the matter said Saturday.

Under authority of the Cabinet Secretariat, the new task force will receive orders directly from the prime minister.

Following the killing of two Japanese hostages by the Islamic State militant group earlier this year, the government decided the new task force was necessary to collect information in a consolidated manner, with the new entity also designed to be an intelligence hub for other countries in the exchange of information.

Initially, the new task force was going to be launched in April 2016, but the date was brought forward due to the Paris attacks and on increased concerns here as Japan will be hosting a number of high profile international events in the coming years. Enditem