Fourth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all its Aspects

Statement by the Delegation of Japan

Marking and Tracing

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to thank you for preparing the discussion paper on the International Tracing Instrument (ITI), which is well-structured, informative and insightful. I would also like to thank you for distributing well in advance the draft outcome document to be annexed to the Report of this meeting.

Mr. Chairman,

Let me first of all share Japan’s practice in this area. In Japan, all manufacturers currently mark each small arm and light weapon (SALW) with a serial number, out of practical business necessity. Moreover, many manufacturing companies are using laser processing equipment for marking SALW in order to prevent tampering.

With regard to legislative measures, Japan is now preparing to revise the relevant laws and regulations in order to prohibit the manufacture and transfer of unmarked or inappropriately marked SALW.

Your paper, Mr. Chairmen, elaborates on reasons why a crime gun should be traced, especially if the perpetrator has already been apprehended. It also explains the value of tracing all crime guns and identifying trends and patterns in illegal firearms trafficking from individuals to the source. If tracing is implemented effectively, it will have a knock-on effect, providing additional information to criminal investigators and leading to a greater understanding of the trafficking problem at hand.

In this connection, international cooperation is of great importance for criminal investigations into firearms trafficking, and a number of Japanese agencies have undertaken activities in this area, such as the following:

・exchanging information with agencies overseas through the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and also through international seminars for export control;

・establishing close ties and enhancing criminal investigations conducted jointly with law enforcement organizations, especially in high risk regions　from where illicit SALW have been smuggled to Japan; and

・dispatching police officials overseas as long-term specialists.

As each state strives for addressing the problem of SALW trafficking, cooperation in implementing ITI will be promoted.

Many paragraphs of the ITI are devoted to international cooperation. Enhancing international assistance and holding workshops concerning ITI are crucial for capacity building for law enforcement agencies and industries. The Government of Japan has provided financial and human resources to such workshops and also conducted various projects, including the Philippines National Police’s Capability Enhancement for Firearms Control as a recent example. Japan is committed to assisting future workshops through active participation and will continue to provide assistance to relevant projects.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, we sincerely hope that, based on the ITI, each state takes the necessary measures and enhances cooperation in marking and tracing, which will lead to the eradication of firearms-related crimes.

Thank you.