Japan Raises Terror Alert to Highest Level

[jokester]

Hmmmmmmmm :whazzup: Wonder what's up with that?

- jokester

[pdxkevin]

Japan Raises Terror Alert to Highest Level

Feb 20, 10:51 AM (ET)

TOKYO (AP) - Japan raised its terror alert to its highest level on Friday, mobilizing heavily armed police around airports, nuclear plants and government offices to guard against a possible attack, an official said.

It the was first time the government went on such a heightened alert since the U.S.-led military attack on Iraq in March 2003.

A National Police Agency official refused to discuss whether the government had new information about a possible terror strike.

The official said riot police armed with automatic rifles would guard Tokyo and Kansai international airports and nuclear power and reprocessing facilities, but wouldn't disclose how many officers were added.

Larger police forces were being mobilized and additional checkpoints set up around the prime minister's residence, U.S. Embassy, military facilities and national and local assembly buildings, he said. Security was also beefed up at ports, railway stations and shopping malls.

Beginning in late December, police tightened security at hundreds of facilities nationwide during the new year holidays.