National Public Safety Commission updates UN sanctions terrorist list

The National Public Safety Commission issued National Public Safety Commission Notice No. 42 dated September 10, 2026, announcing changes to the list entries for two designated international terrorists subject to asset freezing and other measures. This notice is based on the provisions of Article 3, Paragraph 4 of the Act on Special Measures concerning Freezing of Assets, etc. Implemented by Japan Based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 and Other Resolutions (Act No. 124 of 2014), and is signed by Jiro Akama, Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission.

The basis for these changes is the decision made by the various sanctions committees of the UN Security Council on September 4, 2026. On the same date, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice No. 284 (signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi) also announced partial amendments to related notices; both notices reflect the same UN decision within domestic law.

Designated International Terrorists Subject to the Notice

The list entries for the following two individuals were changed in this notice:

• Sanaullah Ghafari (SANAULLAH GHAFARI, Notice No. QI.303)
• Abubakar Swalleh (ABUBAKAR SWALLEH, Notice No. QI.308)

Revision of Ghafari’s Address and Listing Date

Regarding Ghafari, the address notation was changed from “Afghanistan (2021)” and “Kunduz Afghanistan (previous)” to “Afghanistan (2021)” and “Kunduz, Afghanistan (previous).” The date listed on the registry is December 21, 2021, and following the revision on April 25, 2024, a further revision dated September 4, 2026, was added.

Addition of ID Numbers for Swalleh

Regarding Swalleh, the listing date was updated from June 16, 2025 (revised August 14, 2026) to include the revision dated September 4, 2026. The reference section notes that the individual has supported ISIL, which is listed as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (QE.48), and includes phone number +963936016952 and gender as male.

Following the change, the following new ID information was added:

• Uganda National ID Card Number CM920231090NZA
• Zambia ID Number Z15105123 (Issued August 5, 2020; fraudulently obtained using registration number 102523/29/1 under the name Isaac Mupeta, born May 9, 1993, in Lusaka, Zambia)

Impact on Financial Institutions and Corporations

The Act on Special Measures concerning Freezing of Assets, etc. imposes obligations on financial institutions and corporations to freeze and report the assets of designated international terrorists. With the addition of identification information used for identity verification, such as Swalleh’s Zambia ID number, the scope of account matching and transaction screening (KYC) for financial institutions will expand.

Changes to address notations and ID numbers are intended to update screening criteria to prevent transactions with sanctioned parties; therefore, financial institutions and import/export companies are required to promptly reflect the contents of the notification in their own compliance systems.

Source: National Public Safety Commission Notification No. 42 (September 10, 2026, Official Gazette Extra Edition Special No.), Article 3, Paragraph 4 of the Act on Special Measures concerning Freezing of Assets, etc. implemented by Japan based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267, etc. (Act No. 124 of 2014), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notification No. 284 (September 10, 2026).