Japan Heightens Security

Japanese security departments called for a complete security arrangement of a historic scale around main facilities such as railway tracks and stations not to mention the Japanese high-speed railway, Shinkansen, and other public office buildings as Al-Qaeda warned of another terror attack, specifically mentioning Japan among its possible target.

All trash bins inside subway stations in Tokyo were put out of use. Police canine units were employed in searching the railroad tunnels and other areas and intensified their regular inspections. Additional mobile units were allocated to each local police station to tighten security.

There also was an increase of train crews to reinforce the luggage inspection process. The police also filed a request for reinforcement of the inspection team around major edifices. The Foreign Office issued warning for foreign travelers.

The Ministry of Defense will set up a Special Operative Unit to take full charge of terrorism control under the command of Ground Team of the Self-Defense Forces.

As the anxiety about the terror attack spreads over Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi calmed the public on March 18 saying that they “should not succumb to terrorists’ intention to cause anxiety among the people.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda also said, “Although the statement about Japan being a target of terrorist attack that was made by the Islamic militant group with ties to Al-Qaeda cannot be trusted, we will take all measures required to heighten security against any possible attack.”

Intelligences predict that there is high possibility of a terrorist attack against the allied countries that supported the U.S. around March 20 which marks the commencement of the Iraqi War.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com