Rumiko Seya, Secretary General of the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention

Rumiko Seya

Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from Chuo University and received an MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford in the UK. Specialist in post-conflict peacebuilding and reintegration of ex-combatants into society. In the past she held various positions in conflict areas, such as NGO staff (Rwanda), UN volunteer (Sierra Leone), Special Assistant to the Ambassador (Japanese Embassy, Afghanistan), and UN Peacekeeping Operations staff (Côte d'Ivoire). She became Secretary General of the JCCP in April 2007.

JCCP's website http://www.jccp.gr.jp/

There are many 貔ｱorders繝ｻin the world besides national borders.

Borders can be found within a country itself, such as a system that exists to control certain areas with specific rules or a system based on ethnicity or culture.

In Sudan and Cote d譽嘛oire, a border, or safety zone, was established between the antagonists in the north and south, which is overseen by the United Nations and neutral third parties.

In regard to the question posed last time, about the importance of border control, many readers responded that the free flow of people and goods across borders can create problems involving weapons, such as guns and bombs, illegal drugs, and armed groups.

Mai Oogami and Saori Furuya of Sagotani Junior High School pointed out that conflict and crime might increase if weapons and people prone to violence can move freely across borders. And Shinya of Gifu mentioned that drugs are a destabilizing influence on people and aggravate a nation逞ｴ security situation. To prevent illegal entry of people into a country, the border should be appropriately controlled.

Bringing weapons such as these into Japan is restricted. (Photo by Rumiko Seya in Afghanistan, 2004)

In conflict area and countries where the national borders aren遞・properly managed, as Ayano Yoshida of Sagotani Junior High School pointed out, 貂｡atural resources and valuable metals繝ｻare illegally traded to get money to buy arms and hire soldiers. In Sierra Leone in West Africa, anti-government forces smuggled diamonds into a neighboring country to pay for a large quantity of arms. As Masa in Fukuoka mentioned, in cases like this, where things like diamonds are used to make illegal transactions, such conditions can lead to conflict or worsen the security situation.

To control the flow of goods across borders, we must consider not only what is transported, but also for what purpose.

If the flow of people and goods can遞・be controlled, the security situation will deteriorate and it逞ｴ possible that a nation逞ｴ sense of law and order might collapse and its citizens may face the loss of security and safety.

The problem of the Somali pirates stems from the lack of security and economic opportunity in Somalia. Because the government is unable to control the pirates, and many young people can遞・find other work, these young people turn to crime, becoming pirates themselves, in order to make a living. To resolve a nation逞ｴ security problem, we need to understand the root of the problem.

For this issue, we are considering the importance of controlling national and other borders, and the related problems. On the other hand, as Eri Morimoto suggested, it逞ｴ also true that, in some cases, easing border control can have a positive outcome.

For example, by loosening national borders and integrating its currency, the Europe Union (EU) has fostered interaction and communication between the citizens of its member nations.

In regard to immigrants and foreign workers in Japan, there are differing views. Some people argue that those staying in the country illegally create problems for society or that the ethnic makeup of Japan is changing. Others, though, say that Japan should have a more open immigration policy, since the nation逞ｴ low birth rate is producing a declining population.

I hope the discussion of this issue has offered you a chance to consider both the positive and negative aspects of border control and how Japan should respond to such challenges in the world.