japaan isn’t the first country that comes to mind when discussing the growing phenomenon of foreign fighters flocking to Syria to join the Islamic State militant group. But for top officials in Tokyo, the spread of Islamic State propaganda is a growing concern despite the country’s exceedingly small contribution of jihadist fighters to Iraq and Syria.
On Tuesday, the chief of staff of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force said Tokyo is taking measures to prevent citizens from traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State militant group and stepping up its humanitarian support in the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition.