Takeshi Noda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, instructed his staff Friday to take full security precautions for the World Cup soccer finals that are to be jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea this year.
In a speech at an annual new year drill in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, Noda said: "Tense situations have continued after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. We must make all-out efforts to ensure security for the World Cup."
About 2,300 officers took part in the early morning drill at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The exercise involved 112 special vehicles, including ones to protect against biological and chemical terrorist attacks, and seven helicopters.
The MPD has tightened security to prevent terrorists or soccer hooligans from entering Japan ahead of the championships, which are to run between May 31 and June 30.
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