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Other Names
Anti-Imperialist International Brigade (AIIB)
Nippon Sekigun
Nihon Sekigun
the Holy War Brigade
the Anti-War Democratic Front
Description
An international terrorist group formed around
1970 after breaking away from Japanese Communist
League-Red Army Faction. The JRA was led by Fusako
Shigenobu until her arrest in Japan in November
2000. The JRA's historical goal has been to overthrow
the Japanese Government and monarchy and to help
foment world revolution. After her arrest Shigenobu
announced she intended to pursue her goals using
a legitimate political party rather than revolutionary
violence. May control or at least have ties to
Anti-Imperialist International Brigade (AIIB);
also may have links to Antiwar Democratic Front--an
overt leftist political organization--inside Japan.
Details released following Shigenobu's arrest
indicate that the JRA was organizing cells in
Asian cities, such as Manila and Singapore. Has
history of close relations with Palestinian terrorist
groups--based and operating outside Japan--since
its inception, primarily through Shigenobu. The
current status of these connections is unknown.
Activities
During the 1970s, the JRA carried out a series
of attacks around the world, including the massacre
in 1972 at Lod Airport in Israel, two Japanese
airliner hijackings, and an attempted takeover
of the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. In April 1988,
JRA operative Yu Kikumura was arrested with explosives
on the New Jersey Turnpike, apparently planning
an attack to coincide with the bombing of a USO
club in Naples, a suspected JRA operation that
killed five, including a US servicewoman. He was
convicted of the charges and is serving a lengthy
prison sentence in the United States. Tsutomu
Shirosaki, captured in 1996, is also jailed in
the United States. In 2000, Lebanon deported to
Japan four members it arrested in 1997, but granted
a fifth operative, Kozo Okamoto, political asylum.
Longtime leader Shigenobu was arrested in November
2000 and faces charges of terrorism and passport
fraud.
Strength
About six hard-core members; undetermined number
of sympathizers.
Location/Area of Operation
Location unknown, but possibly traveling in Asia
or Syrian-controlled areas of Lebanon.
External Aid
Unknown.
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