Antiterrorism talks to be held

Antiterrorism talks to be held

TOKYO (AFP): Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a forum to discuss antiterrorism measures in Tokyo next week, the Japanese foreign ministry said yesterday.

During the two-day meeting starting Tuesday, Japanese and ASEAN authorities will discuss possible cooperation in case of terrorist attacks in the region, ministry officials said.

The forum was proposed by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto during his visit to member countries of the regional group in January.

Hashimoto made the proposal in the aftermath of the four-month hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's official residence in the Peruvian capital, Lima, which began in December. In June, Japan and ASEAN established a network to exchange information on terrorism.