"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Political Declaration, Declaration on Terrorism

[Place] Arch
[Date] July 15, 1989
[Source] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

1. We remain resolutely opposed to terrorism in all its forms. We confirm the commitment each of us has undertaken to the principle of making no concessions to terrorists or their sponsors and to co-operating, bilaterally and in all relevant international fora, in combatting terrorism. We reiterate our commitment to the policies agreed at previous summits; in particular we condemn state-sponsored terrorism. We are determined not to let terrorists remain unpunished, and to have them brought to justice within the framework of international law and in conformity with the rule of law. We call upon those states which have supported or encouraged terrorist acts to demonstrate by their actions that they have renounced such policies. We reaffirm in particular our absolute condemnation of the taking of hostages. We call on those holding hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally and on those with influence over hostage-takers to use it to this end.

2. Deeply concerned for the safety of all travellers and outraged by the murderous attacks perpetrated against international civil aviation and the frequent threat to air transport safety from terrorist groups, we reaffirm our commitment to the fight against all forms of terrorism affecting civil aviation. We reiterate our determination to contribute to reinforcing internationally agreed measures for protection against aircraft hijackings and sabotage.

3. We particularly condemn the recent attack on an aircraft over Scotland, which killed 270 people. We have agreed to give priority to preventing such attacks by further strengthening security measures. We attach importance to the implementation of the work plan recently adopted by the ICAO Council for this purpose.

4. We have also agreed on the need for improved methods of detecting explosives. We endorse efforts currently underway in ICAO to develop, as a matter of high priority, an appropriate international regime for the marking of plastic and sheet explosives for detection.