Japan to give antiterrorism aid

Japan to give antiterrorism aid

TOKYO: Japan will announce a set of measures to help Southeast Asian nations fight terrorism, including providing Indonesia with baggage scanners and patrol boats, a report said on Sunday.

Japan will announce the aid during an antiterrorism meeting of 23 countries including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bali, Indonesia starting on Wednesday, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.

Following the Bali bombings in October 2002, Japan decided to give Indonesia extensive aid after concluding it faced the most highest risk of terrorism in the ASEAN region, the paper said, citing government sources.

Tokyo's aid will include the provision of metal detectors and patrol boats, and the construction of Japanese-style police posts in Jakarta, worth more than 1.0 billion yen (US$9.4 million) by March 2005, it said.

The Philippines may also get patrol boats from Japan, it said. Japan is planning to invite coast guards from Indonesia and the Philippines for training. -- AFP