Japan raises terror alert to highest level

[rodbarnett]

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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 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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