The Japan Coast Guard released its annual white paper Tuesday featuring a more detailed and easy-to-read format, coast guard officials said.
The 2001 white paper explains the agency's policy measures and provides details on how it deals with crimes by international organizations. The new report also features more photos and illustrations.
The report highlights the importance of international cooperation in dealing with crimes such as smuggling of humans, drugs and weapons as well as the rampant piracy in Southeast Asian seas.
The paper also stresses the importance of strengthening collaboration with Southeast Asian countries, as well as the need to foster cooperative ties with China as soon as possible.
The Japan Coast Guard is already cooperating and carrying out joint exercises with South Korea and Russia, according to the officials.
The paper also outlines plans to promote increased use of life jackets. The Coast Guard also wants to reduce the number of people who die or who become lost in accidents at sea to under 200 by 2005. Last year 331 people fell into that category.