The Japanese and Colombian governments have agreed on a series of steps aimed at preventing human trafficking and providing support to sex-trade victims.

This is Japan's second government-level agreement on human trafficking. The first was reached with the Philippines in September.

Japan would like to get its name off the human-trafficking watch list put out by the United States last June. Japan was listed as a destination for Asian and Latin American women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. The report called for improved preventative measures.

Tokyo sent officials from the Foreign Ministry, police and others to Colombia this month to work on the agreement.

The officials explained to their Colombian counterparts about Japan's new policy of treating women duped into exploitation as victims to protect. The women will be allowed to stay in shelters for an extended period of time rather than be subject to immediate deportation.

The officials also said that Tokyo is cracking down on human trafficking groups that often involve yakuza organized crime members. The officials pledged to help Colombian police on their end by supplying information.

In turn, the Colombian government has promised to step up control on passport forgeries, according to the officials.

Colombia will also make efforts to publicize that victims of human trafficking in Japan, if they seek help from police, will be placed under protection.

Colombia will also take measures to improve mental care provided to victims when they return to Colombia, according to the officials.(IHT/Asahi: January 19,2005)