Police patrol Haneda Airport ahead of ex-Prime Minister Abe’s state funeral

Tokyo, Sept. 13 (Jiji Press) — The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department conducted a joint patrol at a key airport in the Japanese capital on Tuesday with airport officials and others ahead of the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month.

The move aims to enhance security cooperation between the public and private sectors at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, which will be used by many foreign dignitaries visiting Japan to attend funerals, and to put passengers in alert.

About 60 people, including MPD officers stationed at the airport and employees of the security company, took part in the joint patrol. Security dogs searched lockers, trash cans and elsewhere for suspicious items, and leaflets were distributed calling on people to notify authorities if they spot suspicious people or anything different from normal.

“The MPD will do everything possible to guard the airport while enjoying the cooperation of related parties,” MPD security chief Yusuke Takayama said.

The state funeral for Abe, who was shot in July, will be held at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo’s Chiyoda district on September 27. Some 6,000 people, including personalities from home and abroad, are expected to attend the event.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]