The rising wave of international crime is making it necessary to promote international cooperation in criminal investigations. As a step in this direction, Japan and South Korea have agreed to begin preparatory work on a bilateral treaty that will enable their law-enforcement authorities to conduct joint investigations. The agreement follows a summit meeting last month between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and President Roh Moo Hyun.
A summit statement calls for the conclusion of a "criminal judicial cooperation treaty." The name implies that such cooperation will likely involve a broad range of activities, not just investigations. Japan signed a similar pact with the United States in 2003.
International cooperation is crucial to the effective investigation of cross-border crimes, such as drug deals, terrorist acts and organized crime. That is why the Diet earlier this year passed an amendment to the domestic law that mandates cooperation in international criminal investigations. Japan needs to conclude a cooperation treaty with other Asian countries as well, including China and the Philippines.