In an effort to regain its reputation as a safe nation, Japan aims to halve by 2005 the number of illegal foreign residents from the current estimate of 250,000, according to a government action plan to combat crime obtained by Kyodo News on Saturday.
The plan, compiled by a panel on crime headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and comprising all the ministers of his Cabinet, is expected to be endorsed at a Cabinet meeting Thursday. The panel is also expected to draw up necessary bills as soon as possible.
The plan stipulates that Japan will "aim to turn back into the safest country in the world." To this end, it sets five priority areas -- responding to threats that cross borders, curbing crimes in neighborhoods, preventing juvenile crime, protecting the general public from organized crime and creating the foundations to restore security.