In July 2006, in spite of condemnation by Japan and other nations, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) launched multiple ballistic missiles. In October of the same year, North Korea went on to announce that it had conducted an underground nuclear test. North Korea is also suspected to be exporting missiles and related technologies. These and other developments suggest that North Korea poses a serious threat to the peace and security of international community.

The People's Republic of China (China) has evidenced considerable interest in Japanese advance science and technology and is working to expand technology transfers from Japan. At the same time, it is also thought to be engaged in collecting a diverse range of detailed information designed to facilitate the illicit transfer of Japanese advanced science and technology, through scholars, engineers, foreign exchange students, missions and staff members of the Chinese Embassy in Japan.
In October 2005 and August 2006, members of the Russian Trade Representation in Japan were arrested for illegally obtaining confidential information related to advanced science and technology. Such cases demonstrate the Russian Federation (Russia)'s keen interest. It is thought that Russia is still actively engaged in a variety of illegal activities within Japan in this regard.

In response to this situation, Japanese police have intensified ongoing programs to collect information related to adverse activities over Japanese national interests in the fields of advanced science and technology by North Korea, China, Russia and other foreign governments, and are committed to strict enforcement of applicable laws. In addition, international efforts to strengthen measures to prevent the spread of materials and components related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), we have also intensified our efforts to control the illegal export of such items.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution against North Korea for its underground nuclear test. (October 2006; Photo: Kyodo Press)