 | Other Names
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. |
