Yet again, `al-Qaida' has Japan in sights

The Asahi Shimbun ^ | March 13,2004 | IHT

[Destro]

Yet again, `al-Qaida' has Japan in sights The Asahi Shimbun

A group claiming to be the al-Qaida terrorist network took responsibility for Thursday's train bombings in Spain and warned that Japan, as an ally of America, is vulnerable to attack because of the ``war against Islam.''

``Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?'' said the statement, sent to an Arabic newspaper in London, in an apparent warning to countries that supported the U.S. campaign in Iraq.

Bomb explosions in Spain on Thursday killed more than 190 people and injured 1,400.

In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Friday that such acts of terror are ``not just someone else's problem,'' and pledged Japan's continued cooperation in the fight against terror. ``Terrorism can never be justified,'' he said.

The top government spokesman told a news conference that Japan has already done its utmost to guard against possible terrorist attacks, but added, ``We must think further because terrorism takes advantage of any unguarded moment.''

Addressing the possibility of Japan being a target, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday, ``The possibility of terrorism exists anywhere because it is occurring around the world.''

Asked to comment on the reported claim by al-Qaida, Koizumi simply said he did not know because the Spanish government is still investigating the deadly blasts.(IHT/Asahi: March 13,2004) (03/13)

[dagnabbit]

What kind of Muslim / Muslim immigrant community exists in Japan? Al Qaeda cannot function without such a sea in which to swim.

[Prodigal Son]

Japan has a somewhat easier task if they choose to get serious about Islamist terrorism.

Anybody that doesn't look Japanese- strip search him.

[Alia]

Hmm. I'm detecting a game of pickle. The Japanese are no fools. And the group making this "threat" is very foolish to think the Japanese intelligence can't see right through it. It ain't Al Queda, I'll wager -- it's another group, allied with Al Queda, certainly; but knowing the power of CAPITALIZING upon fear. How much do you trust the mainstream news? I'll bet lefty sites are carrying the message of "Al Queda" to their followers even now -- especially concerning the Win by the Socialist Party in Spain. I'm hearing some political theatre chatter.. It'll probably go on for a few more days, and targeting other War on Terrorism Coalition countries.

It's a rally for more voters to do what Spain has just done. I'd loved to have seen how the ballots were counted. People fall for "political theatre". They think it's real. It crashes over time. It can't stand either the reality or logic tests of time.

[Destro]

Islamic Korea: Muslim society in Korea is developing and growing

[boris]

``Who will protect you, Britain, Japan, Italy and others from us?'' said the statement, sent to an Arabic newspaper in London, in an apparent warning to countries that supported the U.S. campaign in Iraq.

Since Japan (probably) does not have nuclear weapons and (probably) would not use them if it did, I guess WE will.

--Boris

[MCFujiTanker]

Since 1977 I've lived in Japan on and off for 15 years. I'm stationed in Guam now. I left Japan June 2003. Most of the muslim immigrants in Japan are from Iran. They are clustered in the big cities (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka). Most are illegal overstays. Many sell drugs to survive. Before cell phones, they used to sell counterfeit phone cards. A muslim call for civil protest in Tokyo went unanswered after 9-11, most of the potential protesters were afraid they would be arrested and deported. There are mosques throughout Japan. In some areas you are shocked at how many illegals are living in Japan. A Ueno Park immigration roundup turned deadly a few years ago. The first time Japan has a big time terrorist attack with large loss of life, you will see a roundup that will be unbelieveable. In my opinion they won't hit Japan, it remains a safe haven for the time being for the illegals. Semper Fi.

[fella]

Take the sons of nipon out and with Spain gone the whole coalition will colapse.

[Mr. Mojo]

Thanks for the lowdown. Do you think Japan won't be targeted because terrorists know what the result would be -- total roundup and deportation of illegal Muslims.

I suspect the Japanese are not nearly as infected with "cultural sensitivity" concerns as we are over here.

[MCFujiTanker]

Japan Immigration authorities can barely handle the "turn ins"...that's when illegals turn themselves in for deportation. Unless the illegal has committed a crime, they are ignored. The biggest scam the ME countries have going is the student visas. They never went to school, just worked, and falsified the school paperwork, or went to some school that was on paper only. If an attack comes, the police will step in and help immigration officer make mass arrests. Great story from 2001. The Pakastani's took over the junk car business in a prefecture north of Tokyo. Right wing Japanese protested because Japanese lost their jobs to the Pakastani's. The local mosque was broken into and a Koran torn to shreds and burned. Lots of outrage (there is a website run by some guy named Khan from Osaka, you can probably find it on Yahoo, he's the head knucklehead), everyone blamed the local right wingers. The police investigated, the perp turned out to be the jilted Japanese girlfriend of one of the mosque members. But even today the muslims in Japan only report that their mosque was attacked and sacked because of hatred, not a lover's quarrel!! Semper Fi!!

[BlazingArizona]

If this happens, Japan will be saved by its most reviled characteristic, its strong instinct for racial purity. Gaijin, especially those of ME origin, will simply be tossed out if perceived as a threat.

[Tangerine Time Machine]

Two rules of engagement:

Don't mess with Texas.
Don't mess with Japan.

Japan has assumed a pacifist posture because it relies on and trusts US protection. But it is by nature a nation of warriors. If it is struck and hurt badly, it will lash out at the threat with unbelievable speed and force.

I would be very surprised if Japan is more than a week from having deliverable nukes at any given moment.

[dagnabbit]

Great info about Islam and immigrants in Japan! Among the best things about FR are the on-the-ground reports from FReepers like you. Thanks!

[August West]

All "illegals" have, by definition, committed a crime. And I can tell you from personal experience that those who are caught are not "ignored". They are thrown into jail for a few months and then deported. Even those who are caught at the airport trying to leave are locked up. I believe the turn-ins are also put into detention, but I have no direct experience with that.

[MCFujiTanker]

I have 12 years LE experience in Japan ('85-'88, '91-'97 and '00-'03), all in the Kanto plain. All the illegals know that if you try to leave as an overstay without clearing through immigration first you will be detained at the point of exit (unless it's just a few days, then they are required to pay a fine before being allowed to board their aircraft, fines are 5000 yen and up). That's why they line up in Yokohama/Tokyo to process. Most are told to come back with tickets, given an interview and a special stamp in their passport identifying them as an overstay. It's bright red and written in Kanji. When I've been to the Tokyo or Yokohama immigration lockups to interview someone on a case, it's amazing how many people are stuffed inside the cells. Sweeps and crackdowns are run all of the time, but if you have a illegal in custody on base and there is no room at the "Inn", they have the police fully ID them and advise them to turn theselves in ASAP for outprocessing. Most don't show up, would you? Have you ever been to Shin Okubo in Tokyo (overstay South American hookers), Hinode-cho, the canal area in Yokohama (overstay Asian hookers)?? If they ran a sweep in those two places, they'd be processing the paperwork for a year. I'm glad that they concentrate on the ME shabu dealers in Shibuya and other areas instead. During the fall of 2002, dozens were locked up. The "street space" rented by the local Yakuza to them, was snatched up by new pushers less than a week later. The shabu was not on their person, they keep it in the pockets of clothing on sidewalk display or mannequins. Sorry, have to run...late for dinner here on Guam. Semper Fidelis!!