From: Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2000. United States
Department of State, April 2001.
Anti-Imperialist International Brigade (AIIB)
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.