Japan Raises Terror Alert to Highest Level

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=716&e=3&u=/ap/20040220/ap_on_re_as/japan_terror_alert

TOKYO - 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 (news - web sites) 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.

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[kalian]

1. Ummm....

Japan is having some serious behind the scenes financial scandals...
and their sheeple have to be kept in line.

[oneighty]

4. They also have

soldiers in Iraq a happening that cannot rest well on a great number of Japan's citizens. Terror from within? Most likely.

180

[Art_from_Ark]

6. I think you have it, 180

According to the Japan Times, the police raided a domestic group that had claimed responsibility for amateurish attacks against a military base, and appears likely to have been responsible for explosions that were heard in the crowded Shinjuku district of Tokyo

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20040219a3.htm

Meanwhile, there is no mention of "highest alert" in Japan Times Online, and today's Yomiuri newspaper doesn't even mention it in the "What's Inside" box.

Unlike similar alerts in the US, this does not appear to be a politically motivated diversion.

[demnan]

2. I guess they'll be sorry

they volunteered peace keeping forces for Iraq.

[AlinPA]

3. "The world is a safer place..." according to Bush*'s speechwriters.

[dArKeR]

5. Japan On Highest Terror Alert - CBS Japan On Highest Terror Alert

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/20/world/main601386.shtml