Tokyo Police launch marine antiterror force

May 14, 2019

Tokyo--Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department launched Tuesday an antiterrorism squad that can be mobilized from the sea to crime scenes, using personal watercraft.

The new force, named the Waterfront Response Team, was created to protect seaside sports venues in the capital ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

It belongs to the anti-firearms squad of the riot police unit. Officers equipped with machine guns will use water scooters and boats to patrol Tokyo's waterside areas.

The officers will go onshore to tackle terrorist acts at game venues and will work to prevent suspects from escaping into the sea.

A senior MPD official voiced confidence that the new team will cover seaside areas, where security measures can be weak. Jiji Press